Golf fans travelling to St. Andrews for the 150th Open Championship are being advised that there may be problems in travelling to the event by rail.
ScotRail currently has a temporary timetable in operation.
During the week of The Open from Sunday, 10th to Sunday, 17th July there will be a very limited number of trains to and from Leuchars, which is the nearest station to St. Andrews. On the Championship days from Thursday, 14th to Sunday, 17th July, trains will run roughly every 60 minutes between Edinburgh, Dundee, and Aberdeen, and Leuchars.
Space on board trains will be very limited, and there will be no rail-replacement transport available. Fans should, therefore, plan ahead, check their entire journey, and know what alternative modes of transport are available.
A local bus network, operated by Stagecoach, links St Andrews to Dundee, Cupar, Glenrothes, and the villages around the East Neuk of Fife, as well as an express bus service connecting to Glasgow and Edinburgh. More information on bus services can be found via Stagecoach at https://www.stagecoachbus.com/ and Moffat and Williamson https://moffat-williamson.co.uk/
For fans travelling to The Open by road, additional Park and Ride facilities will be available. The AA are providing directions to the Park & Ride sites by Variable Messaging Signs and black and yellow event signs provided by the AA. Park and Ride tickets are available on The Open website.
ScotRail will have extra staff to assist customers and is reminding everyone that the carrying and consumption of alcohol is prohibited on ScotRail trains and in ScotRail stations.
Phil Campbell, ScotRail Head of Customer Operations, said:
“We're doing absolutely everything we can to support travel to the historic 150th Open at the fantastic Old Course at St Andrews, however, we urge fans to plan ahead and consider what alternative transport is available.
“Regrettably, our temporary timetable will still be in place throughout the Championship, which means there will be a very limited number of trains to and from Leuchars – the closest station to the course.
“Space on board these trains are limited, so I'd urge fans to consider alternative modes of transport as there will be significantly long queues at stations and we may not be able to get you to the course.
“We have worked closely with key partners, including the R&A, Fife Council, and Transport Scotland, and will continue to play our part during this major event.”
