From December 10 there will be an additional five daily services in each direction between Dumfries and Carlisle.
And The ScotRail Alliance say this will also benefit those travelling from Annan and Gretna Green. They say the improvements mean customers in the south west of Scotland will see close to an hourly service throughout the day, with better connections for trains to and from London at Carlisle.
In addition, the ScotRail Alliance is introducinganew early morning train from Dumfries to Glasgow, and a late evening service from Glasgow to Dumfries—providing 300 more seats between the stations.
But as The ScotRail Alliance officially announces an investment in the Nith Valley Line revealed earlier this year by the new timetable, the move has drawn a mixed political reaction.
Scottish Minister for Transport Humza Yousaf said: “These additional services being introduced will be welcomed by passengers in the south west of the country.”
He added: “The near hourly service between Dumfries and Carlisle is designed to meet the demands of current and future growth, and comes following feedback from local user groups and transport partners.
“It is also pleasing to note the earlier morning service between Dumfries and Glasgow, providing enhanced commuter options to Kilmarnock and Glasgow for the Cumnock Valley, and the additional evening train between Glasgow and Dumfries opening up more opportunities for commuters and leisure users alike.”
SWestrans chairman Councillor Andrew Wood said: “I welcome this increase in service and the added connectivity it will bring to many residents of the region.”
Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson also said he welcomed the move. But he said: “ScotRail must now improve the Stranraer service which is a vital link for our region’s tourist industry, as well as for ordinary commuters.”
South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth noted the planned new services between Dumfries and Carlisle when the timetable appeared in July, but complained about the shortage of promised new services north of Dumfries.
