More passengers choosing the train over the plane
Passenger numbers between Scotland and London at a record high says Virgin
Last updated 21st Aug 2017
Virgin Trains says it's seen an "historic shift'' in travel patterns between Scotland-London with more passengers choosing the train over the plane than at any time in more than 20 years.
The firm, which operates both the west and east coast mainlines says it's seen an 18% year-on-year growth in passengers travelling between Glasgow and Edinburgh and London in June.
Carbon savings over the last 10 years is equivalent to removing all traffic on the M8 for travel between the outskirts of Glasgow and Edinburgh for 2 years
The company says this gave it a 33% share of the air/rail market on the UK's busiest domestic air routes which surpassed a previous record set in 2014.
The rail operator also said growth on the west coast route between Glasgow and London over the last decade has saved enough CO2 to take 145,000 cars off the road for a year.
David Horne, Virgin Trains managing director on the east coast route, said: "When we took over the east coast route, we set out ambitious plans to gain a 50% market share between Edinburgh and London by 2023.
"These figures show an encouraging start to that journey and confirm an historic shift in travel patterns towards train.
"Our customers have responded positively to the improvements in customer service and investment in new train interiors and additional services.''
The shift in travel patterns coincides with a new report which explores the environmental benefits of train over plane travel.
Sustainable transport charity Transform Scotland, found overall air and rail travel between the Central Belt and London is increasing, but carbon emissions are falling through train use.
Colin Howden, director of Transform Scotland, said: "Our report shows that rail's success in capturing market share from air has prevented an increase in carbon emissions across the entire Scotland-London travel market.
"The resulting carbon savings made over the past decade is equivalent to removing all traffic on the M8 for travel between the outskirts of Glasgow and Edinburgh for two years.''
In June, 180,000 passengers travelled on Virgin Trains' services between Edinburgh and London and the east coast and Glasgow and London on the west coast, up from 152,000 a year earlier.
Without including sleeper services, this represented 33% of the total air/rail market, up from 32% in June 2014, according to figures for direct air journeys provided by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
On the east coast route between Edinburgh and London the rail operator's market share against airlines rose to 37%, up 2% on its previous peak in 2014. On west coast, Virgin Trains' market share between Glasgow and London was 27%.
Humza Yousaf, Minister for Transport and the Islands, said: "The Scottish Government has set some of the toughest climate change targets for the people of Scotland.
"I am therefore delighted to hear of the increase in the use of our railway, as it is a fundamental part of achieving our greener transport aspirations.
"I welcome the publication of this Transform Scotland report which showcases the environmental benefits of rail, and underlines the importance of having high speed rail connectivity between Scotland and London."