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Monday 16 Dec 2024

East Linton station marks one year of operation

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Friday (December 13) marked the first anniversary of the opening of the new £15m East Linton station.

The East Lothian station rejoined Scotland’s Railway 12 months ago connecting new communities to the network after a gap of nearly 60 years.

With a journey time of just over 20-minutes into the centre of Edinburgh, the station has welcomed over 87,000 customers over the last year.

East Linton is one of seven new stations added to Scotland’s Railway over the last  five years with other new facilities being opened at Robroyston, Kintore, Reston and Inverness Airport.

Another two stations were also added in May 2024 at Leven and Cameron Bridge as part of the £116 million Levenmouth Rail Link. These seven stations support over 830,000 passenger journey’s a year.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop said: “It’s great to mark the first anniversary of opening of East Linton Station, which is served by TransPennine and ScotRail services. With over 87,000 passengers using the station to date, it is encouraging it is proving so popular in its first year, with this number forecast to improve going forward.

“The station is a credit to everyone involved including East Lothian Council, The Rail Action Group for the East of Scotland who passionately campaigned for the station, and also to TransPennine and ScotRail who serve it.

“East Linton is one of seven new stations added to Scotland’s Railway network over the last five years including Robroyston, Kintore, Reston and Inverness Airport, with Leven and Cameron Bridge opening on the Levenmouth Rail Link earlier this year too. With over £100 million investment and 885,000 passengers journeys each year, it is clear this Scottish Government investment in Scotland’s Railway is encouraging even more people to use the train.”

Liam Sumpter, managing director of Network Rail Scotland, said: “We were delighted to be able to reconnect this community to Scotland's Railway after a 59-year wait.

“The station has seen over 87,000 passengers since it opened, and we're looking forward to seeing this number grow as people realise the speed and convenience of travelling by train.

“Taking the train from East Linton can save commuters travelling to Edinburgh over 40 minutes a day, compared with using a car, with journey times on average just 22 minutes.”

Chris Jackson, managing director at TransPennine Express, said: “We’re so pleased to be able to mark the first anniversary of the opening of East Linton alongside Network Rail and other train operators that call at the station.

“We have been able to connect almost 100,000 passengers to communities and economies throughout Scotland and beyond – and we are looking forward to many thousands more joining us for their journeys.” 

Joanne Maguire, ScotRail Managing Director, said:  “We are delighted to mark the first anniversary of the opening of East Linton station. 

“East Linton is one of a number of new stations that opened in recent years, and is part of the important work of the Scottish Government and Scotland’s Railway to encourage people out of their cars and onto our safe, reliable, and green network. 

“There have been around 30,000 ScotRail journeys to and from East Linton in the first year which shows the important part the railway plays in connecting communities, and we are looking forward to welcoming even more passengers in year two.”

Services at the station are provided by both ScotRail and TransPennine Express with 22 services a day calling at East Linton.

The new station boasts two 158m long platforms and is fully accessible with step-free access across the railway via a footbridge with lifts.