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ScotRail has confirmed it will provide extra services to the Open Championship this week despite its ‘temporary’ timetable. The national rail operator has been widely criticised for slashing services over the summer with revellers at the TRNSMT festival in Glasgow at the weekend impacted.
Golf fans have been told there is a plan in place for busy times for those heading to Royal Troon for the sport’s greatest tournament. Tens of thousands of people will head to the iconic links to watch the world’s best battle it out for the Claret Jug.
ScotRail, which claims its new timetable brings “certainty” amid the threat of strike action, will run additional services to the Ayrshire coast on Championship days, Thursday, 18 to Sunday, 21 July. Additional capacity will also be available on existing services on practice days.
Phil Campbell, ScotRail customer operations director, said: “We will be doing everything we can to support fans attending the return of The Open at Royal Troon next week. While a temporary timetable is operating, we have been able to add extra services at busy times both before and after each Championship day.
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“Our all-inclusive Golflink ticket is a great way to combine train travel from anywhere on our network to Troon station, with a frequent bus link to the event course included, saving time and helping your journey run smoothly. Purchasing your tickets in advance means less queuing and more viewing at The Open at Royal Troon, and tickets can be purchased via the ScotRail app, website, ticket offices or on board.”
A similar reduced timetable impacted fans heading to The Open at St Andrews in 2022. Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, executive director – championships at The R&A, said: “Tens of thousands of fans will be travelling to The Open at Royal Troon each day and so we are encouraging them to use public transport instead of coming by car so that congestion on the roads is minimised and carbon emissions are reduced.
(Image: Ayrshire Post)
“We have been working closely with ScotRail to agree enhanced rail services to and from Troon and are grateful for their support, particularly on Championship days when we will be at full capacity at Royal Troon. We are advising all fans to check transport and travel websites to plan their journey and allow for extra time to get to and from Troon. We look forward to welcoming them to The Open next week.”
ScotRail has teamed up with Stagecoach to offer a two-in-one Golflink ticket, which includes both return rail travel to Troon station, as well as a regular shuttle bus linking customers to and from the course. Queuing systems will be in place and extra ScotRail staff will be on hand at Troon and Glasgow Central station. For more information, visit the ScotRail website.
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