ScotRail boosts storage for bicycles on its trains
ScotRail is giving more cyclists than ever the chance to travel on its fleet of Inter7City High Speed Trains (HST).
The train operator’s 25 HSTs are now able to carry up to six bicycles, instead of the previous two, which is a trebling of the number of cycle spaces.
It means more people will be encouraged to ditch the car and use the train to get out into the open air to experience some of the country’s most beautiful areas.
ScotRail customers who love exploring Scotland by bike have seen a huge increase in the number of cycle spaces on trains.
In 2015, there were 932 spaces for cycles on ScotRail trains. Now, there are 1506, a rise of almost 62 per cent, which means all ScotRail trains now have spaces for bikes.
As with most businesses, progress slowed for two years while the coronavirus pandemic was at its height, but this figure outstrips the commitment to increase by 500, the number of cycle spaces, made in 2015.
And it comes just over a year after the launch of ScotRail’s Highland Explorer service on the West Highland Line, with its carriages especially designed to support active travel, by providing people with the space and storage needed to comfortably take their bikes, skis, or other sporting gear with them on their journey.
The Inter7City fleet operates on routes linking Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee, Stirling, Perth, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
They are fitted with cycle storage spaces for up to six cycles – four horizontal roll-on-roll-off cycle spaces and two vertical storage spaces.
The two vertical storage spaces require customers to be able to lift their cycle and secure it. Cycle spaces are located in coach C.
All cycle spaces on the Inter7City services must be reserved in advance with a seat reservation.
ScotRail has also joined forces with Sustrans Scotland, a charity that provides advice, support and funding making it easier for people to walk and cycle for everyday journeys, to produce a series of ‘How To’ videos, giving a step-by-step guide to using the new cycle spaces. These are available on ScotRail’s website - ScotRail | Sustrans 'How To' Videos
Cycle reservations can be made over the phone, online, or in person and are compulsory for High Speed Trains.
Alex Hynes, Scotland’s Railway managing director, said: “As a keen cyclist myself, I am thrilled that ScotRail has made 100 more spaces available on its fleet of High Speed Trains.
“It means more people than ever before will be able to use the train instead of a car to discover Scotland’s most beautiful cities and the wonderful countryside that surrounds them.
“It’s another step towards encouraging an active lifestyle with great economic benefits for the tourist industry in these areas.”
