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The re-opened Airdrie to Bathgate rail link has resulted in a large boost in passenger numbers along the route.
The new £300m Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link was opened on 12th December 2010 and usage figures for the first 12 months show a significant increase in passenger numbers at existing stations.
New stations at Armadale (89,388), Blackridge (40,008) and Caldercruix (68,853) are all on target to meet their initial annual forecasts.
The increased frequency and greater seating capacity have also helped boost usage at existing stations on the route with Bathgate (+4%), Uphall (+21%) and Livingston North (+12%) all showing increases in travel to and from Edinburgh.
New direct journey opportunities have also delivered an average 14% increase in usage from intermediate stations on the route between Helensburgh and Edinburgh Waverley.
Alex Neil MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, said: "An efficient railway linking our communities is essential for sustainable economic growth and I am delighted that this fourth direct link between Scotland’s two main cities has encouraged more people to use the railway.
"The route has allowed more communities in West Lothian and North Lanarkshire to be linked by rail to both Glasgow and Edinburgh, opening up employment, education and social opportunities for people living there. New car parks and modern trains have also made it easier and more comfortable for people to travel by train."
The boost in passenger numbers comes despite the new link initially being impacted by the severe winter weather last year. The full frequency of four trains per hour in each direction has operated on the route since May 2011.
The new route increases the range of options available for rail travel between Scotland’s two main cities and allows passengers to travel direct from Helensburgh and Milngavie in the west, to Bathgate and Edinburgh in the east.
Steve Montgomery, managing director of ScotRail, said: "The continued growth in passenger journeys is to be welcomed. The figures are a testament to the attractiveness of rail travel to local communities."
(GK)
