Busiest rail services revealed by Transport Scotland

ScotRail's top 10 busiest trains have been revealed as part of efforts to improve the experience of passengers.

Transport Scotland has published a list of the busiest services based on analysis of passenger counts over the previous six months.

The list reveals the rush-hour 5.21pm Edinburgh-Glasgow Central via Shotts is the most overcrowded service, with a maximum recorded occupancy of 270 passengers.

That works out at 146% of the train's planned loading of 185 seated and standing passengers, with the busiest part of the route between Haymarket and Livingston South.

Three-carriage electric trains are due to replace the current two-carriage diesel service from May 2019.

The second-busiest service was the 5.01pm Glasgow Central-East Kilbride, which during the summer ran at 135% of planned loading, while in third place was the 8.07am Neilston-Glasgow Central service (130%).

The data sets out measures being taken to alleviate crowding, such as when new rolling stock will come into service, and also highlights alternative routes and trains.

Transport Scotland highlighted investment in rail services to improve capacity including the introduction of 160 extra carriages, with an extra 180 to follow, and increasing seating capacity by 23% by 2019.

Transport minister Humza Yousaf said: "The Scottish Government is delivering the most ambitious programme of rail investment ever seen in Scotland, committing over £5 billion across the current funding period.

"We wholly appreciate busy trains can be uncomfortable and can assure passengers we are focused on delivering the value-for-money service they both want and deserve.

"We will achieve this in the near future, meanwhile this busiest trains information will help make informed journey planning choices simpler in the here and now."

The top 10 busiest train services in Scotland are:

1 Edinburgh-Glasgow Central via Shotts 5.21pm

2 Glasgow Central-East Kilbride 5.01pm

3 Neilston-Glasgow Central 8.07am

4 Neilston-Glasgow Central 8.24am

5 Edinburgh-Glenrothes w/Thornton via Dunfermline 5.53pm

6 Balloch-Airdrie 7.07am

7 Edinburgh-Dunblane 4.03pm

8 Glasgow Central-East Kilbride 6.47pm

9 East Kilbride-Glasgow Central 7.59am

10 Dalmuir-Larkhall 8.18am