ScotRail issues travel warning ahead of Scottish Cup semi-finals and Scottish Grand National

ScotRail is warning customers to expect services to be “busier than normal” ahead of a packed weekend of sporting action.

The advice comes ahead of both the Scottish Cup semi-finals that are set to take place at Hampden Park on April 20 and 21.

Aberdeen play Celtic at the national stadium on Saturday with a 12.30pm kick off, while Rangers face Hearts the following day with a 3pm kick off.

Ahead of the games, ScotRail said additional trains will operate between Glasgow Central and Mount Florida, before kick-off and after the final whistle, with queuing systems in operation at both stations.

The country’s biggest horseracing event the Scottish Grand National is also set to take place at Ayr Racecourse on Saturday.

For racing fans, more seats are being added to services between Glasgow Central and Prestwick Town, and a shuttle bus service will run from there to Allison Street in the town, a short walk from the racecourse.

The buses will be operating between 10am and 1pm, and again from 5pm to 8.39pm, taking customers both to and from the racecourse.

The train operator also encouraged customers to buy return tickets in advance on the ScotRail app to avoid getting caught in queues.

Customers are also reminded of engineering works on Sunday, between Glasgow Central and Edinburgh via Shotts, where an amended timetable will be in operation. Lanark services will also see a bus replacement to Glasgow Central.

Phil Campbell, ScotRail customer operations director, said: “This weekend is a busy one for major sporting events, and we are looking forward to playing our part to help people travel to both Hampden Park and Ayr Racecourse.

“In addition to adding more trains and more seats, the ongoing issues at Ayr station following the fire at the former station hotel, means that we need to do more to support our customers.

“As a result, we have managed to secure buses to operate a special shuttle service to and from Prestwick Town, which will help hundreds of people enjoy one of the most iconic events in the Scottish sporting calendar.

“Our advice to customers is to leave extra time for travel as trains are likely to be busier than normal, and we will have extra staff in place to offer advice and assistance along the way.

“Buying your return tickets in advance through our mTicket system on the ScotRail app will reduce your need to queue, and help your journey run smoothly.”