ScotRail travel warning issued ahead of Rangers v Motherwell game and Edinburgh Fringe

ScotRail has issued a warning ahead of a “busy weekend” for travel with Rangers playing Motherwell at Hampden Park and the Edinburgh Fringe taking place.

The rail operator reminded customers that a temporary timetable is in place due to a shortage of drivers amid an ongoing pay dispute.

ScotRail said they are adding as “many carriages as possible” to accommodate the busy weekend.

For Saturday’s Rangers versus Motherwell match, which kicks off at 3pm, there will be more seats added to trains to and from Mount Florida.

The company added that fans using the services should expect queuing times to be longer and allow for extra on their journeys.

Travel to Edinburgh is expected to be particularly busy due to the ongoing Edinburgh Festivals as well as it being the final weekend before the Scottish school holidays end.

The Royal MIle crowded on the opening weekend of the Edinburgh Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe. iStock

The rail operator has made a number of changes to support customers headed to Edinburgh including extra carriages to late night services leaving the capital.

Half-hourly services throughout the day and extra late-night trains from Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen Street via Falkirk High will also run until the end of the festivals excluding Sundays.

To support return travel to the popular Fringe by the Sea, an additional late-night service will operate from North Berwick to Edinburgh until August 11.

Party at the Palace is also taking place in Linlithgow over the weekend with attendees warned to check the final trains on Sunday before the end of the event due to timetables being “significantly reduced”.

Train users have also been advised to purchase tickets in advance to avoid congestion at stations.

Phil Campbell, ScotRail customer operations director, said: “This is another busy weekend for travel across Scotland’s Railway and we are doing everything we can to help customers get to the football match at Hampden and the events in Edinburgh.

“Customers are reminded that with the temporary timetable currently in place, there are fewer services than normal in operation.

“But to support both the football at the national stadium and the Edinburgh Festivals, we’ve made changes to our services, including extra seats and services and late-night trains to get people to and from Edinburgh.

“With trains expected to be busier than usual, we’re encouraging everyone to allow extra time for travel, and check their journey in advance via our online journey planner.

“Buying return tickets before you board using our mTicket system on our mobile app will help your journey run smoothly.”