ScotRail is preparing for one of its busiest weekends of the year as thousands of passengers take to the tracks for a full calendar of sport, music, and entertainment across Scotland.
The train operator will help fans and festivalgoers reach major events in Glasgow and Edinburgh, including both Premier Sports Cup semi-finals and the Scotland v USA rugby international.
On Saturday 1 November, Motherwell face St Mirren in the first semi-final at Hampden Park, kicking off at 5.30pm.
Meanwhile in Edinburgh, the Scotland men’s rugby team host the USA at BT Murrayfield in a 5.40pm start as part of the Quilter Nations Series.
To support travel to and from the matches, ScotRail has confirmed additional services and longer trains before and after both fixtures.
St Mirren supporters will travel to Hampden via Mount Florida, while Motherwell fans are advised to use Kings Park.
Passengers heading to the national stadium are encouraged to travel early and allow extra time, with queuing systems in place at Glasgow Central before the match, and again at Mount Florida and Kings Park after full time.
For fans attending the rugby, Edinburgh Haymarket is the most convenient stop, just a short walk or tram ride from Murrayfield.
Spectators are being asked to make their way promptly to Haymarket after the match, where a designated holding area on Haymarket Terrace will manage queues safely and efficiently before directing customers to their trains home.
Phil Campbell, ScotRail Customer Operations Director, said the weekend promises to be one of the network’s most vibrant in recent months.
“It’s going to be a very busy weekend right across Scotland’s Railway, with big matches, concerts, and events in both Glasgow and Edinburgh,” he said.
“We’ll have extra trains and more seats to help get people where they need to be, but services will be busy, particularly around Hampden and Murrayfield.”
“Our advice is to plan ahead, buy your tickets before you travel, and allow extra time for your journey.
“Queuing systems will be in place at key stations, so please follow the instructions of staff to help keep everyone moving safely.”
Beyond football and rugby, Saturday will also see football fixtures at Tynecastle, where Hearts host Dundee, and at Almondvale Stadium, where Hibernian take on Livingston.
This, combined with Terminal V Festival at the Royal Highland Centre and major events at Glasgow’s SEC Campus, including Four Brit’s Book Fest, Steve Backshall Live, and Marti Pellow at the OVO Hydro, means trains are expected to be busier than usual throughout the day.
Organised fireworks displays across towns and cities, including the popular event in Newton, are also set to draw large evening crowds.
The busy weekend continues on Sunday 2 November when Celtic face Rangers in the second Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden Park, kicking off at 2pm.
Rangers supporters should travel to and from Mount Florida, while Celtic fans are advised to use Kings Park.
ScotRail will once again run longer trains and more frequent services to help manage the large crowds, with queuing systems operating at Glasgow Central, Mount Florida, and Kings Park.
Fans are urged to buy tickets in advance through the ScotRail app, online, at ticket offices, or from self-service machines.
Extra ScotRail staff will be stationed across the network to assist travellers and ensure services run as smoothly as possible.
Additional travel information for all fixtures and events is available on the ScotRail website at scotrail.co.uk/sport.
