TRANSPENNINE Express (TPE) is set to run up to three extra services a day for festivalgoers at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.
The train operator will run the additional services from Saturday, August 2 until Friday, August 29 alongside its usual timetable to support those returning from Fringe shows.
On weekdays, an evening service will depart Newcastle at 8:02pm, calling at Morpeth, Alnmouth, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Reston, Dunbar, and East Linton, before arriving at Edinburgh Waverley.
A further service will leave Edinburgh Waverley at 9:56pm for Carlisle, stopping at Haymarket and Lockerbie.
Andrew McClements, customer experience and transformation director at TransPennine Express, said: “We are pleased to be able to offer these extra services for those travelling during the Fringe Festival and to support the city of Edinburgh during this popular event.”
More than two million people are expected to travel the capital for the festival, with thousands of shows taking place across more than 250 venues in and around the city, so train services may be busier than usual.
McClements added: “We will be doing everything we can to help as many people as possible travel by rail during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
“We’re asking our customers to plan ahead, expect services to be very busy and allow extra time for journeys.”
For late-night travellers, a train will depart Edinburgh Waverley at 11:28pm, calling at East Linton, Dunbar, Reston, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Alnmouth and Morpeth, before arriving in Newcastle.
On Saturdays, a service will run from Newcastle at 7:27pm to Edinburgh Waverley, calling at Morpeth, Alnmouth, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Reston, Dunbar, and East Linton.
An additional evening departure from Edinburgh Waverley at 7:57pm will head to Carlisle, calling at Haymarket and Lockerbie.
A late service will also operate from Edinburgh Waverley at 10:02pm, calling at East Linton, Dunbar, Reston, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Alnmouth and Morpeth, before reaching Newcastle.
Tom Thorburn, honorary president of Rail Action Group East of Scotland, said: “We are delighted that TransPennine Express has positively responded to community requests and agreed to operate their late-night Edinburgh Festival trains during August again this year.
“With the addition of a late-night train on Saturdays this year in addition to the Monday to Friday trains which were very popular last year, these services are the answer to the travelling needs of people wishing to take in and enjoy the world’s greatest festival in our area and beyond.”
