The rail operator has increased cycle spaces on its fleet of Inter7City High-Speed Trains (HSTs)
ScotRail operates 25 HSTs which now include three times the space for cycles with room for six onboard instead of just two.
There has been a huge increase in the number of the rail operator's customers who enjoy exploring the country by bike and due to this has elected to increase the number of cycle spaces available onboard trains.
2015 saw 932 spaces available for bikes onboard ScotRail services and now that has increased enormously to 1,506 which means that every ScotRail train includes spaces for cycles.
The pandemic saw the majority of businesses' progression delayed over a two-year period, however, ScotRail's commitment made in 2015 to increase cycle storage by 500 spaces has been exceeded.
The news of increased cycle spaces comes one year after the rail operator launched its Highland Explorer service on the West Highland Line. The carriages used on these services have been designed to support active travel by creating the space needed for customers to store bikes, skis or other sporting equipment comfortable on their journey.
Operating routes connecting Aberdeen, Dundee, Stirling, Perth, Glasgow and Edinburgh, the Inter7City fleet are fitted with cycle storage with a configuration of four horizontal roll-on roll-off spaces and two vertical spaces. Those using the two verticle storage spaces need customers to be able to lift their bikes and secure them, these spaces can be found in Coach C.
Cycle space must be reserved ahead and a seat reservation for the Inter7City services.
ScotRail is also working with Sustrans Scotland which is a charity that offers advice, support and funding to make it easier for people to either walk or cycle on their everyday journeys. The charity has created a number of ‘How To' videos which provide step-by-step guidance on how to use the new cycle spaces. The videos can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/guide-travelling-bike-train
Cycle reservations can be organised either by phone, online or in person:
- Cycle reservations are compulsory for High-Speed Trains.
- Book online when you buy your train ticket.
- Call ScotRails telesales team on 0344 811 0141 choosing Option 2 from Monday to Sunday between 7am and 10pm.
- Visit one of our staffed stations.
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.”
When plans for the IC7 trains were first being drawn up, Railfuture Scotland made the case then that a minimum 6 cycle spaces were needed. We all thought this had been agreed and then ScotRail somehow built in only space theoretically for two cycles. In reality, it’s almost impossible to store two adult bikes in the space provided. So good news that more spaces will be provided.