Review: ScotRail's investment pays off

Scotland’s railways have benefited from major investment where it is needed the most - commuter routes. But is it reaping dividends? RAIL’s Mystery Shopper investigates in part 2 of our ScotRail survey.

In this article:

• Scotland’s rail network has expanded with new lines, stations, and electrification, improving connectivity and service.
• Some trains lack ticket checks, leading to fare evasion, but overall staff remain helpful and friendly.
• Despite minor delays, service quality is high, benefiting both commuters and leisure travelers around Edinburgh.

For the second of RAIL’s ScotRail-related Mystery Shopper trips, assessing how the railway performs on a day-to-day basis, we focus on lines around Edinburgh and examples of investment - especially in new (reopened) routes.

Starting at Uddingston in Lanarkshire, and finishing in Glasgow, we’ll cover two of the four different routes between Scotland’s two biggest cities, as well as three branch lines in the east: the new Leven line; the Tweedbank line which has now been in use for nine years; and the established branch line to North Berwick.

We’ll be using a ‘Spirit of Scotland’ flexi-pass Rover ticket, available for four days use in any period of eight days. That works out at £37.25 a day.

Uddingston station looks lovely in fine sunshine, with its original building still standing on the Down platform.

The station is only about 12 minutes from Glasgow, so is very much in commuter territory. There are also direct trains to Edinburgh. As well as a ticket office and other facilities, Uddingston also offers free parking.

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