Rail is a major means of transport in the Highlands and Islands. However, it is hampered due to the scarcity of stations north of Inverness and difficulties in integrating timetables with other transport types.
The highest frequency rail services operate on the Aberdeen-Inverness route with ten return trains per day, Monday-Saturday. Glasgow and Edinburgh have nine returns, while other routes have a frequency of three to four returns.
Despite the shortcomings, including having no identified interchange hubs for bus and rail services outside the main centres, there is scope for enhancing rail services. This would involve improving infrastructure to make rail freight more attractive and increasing to four daily returns on the Far North, Kyle and Fort William/Oban Lines. |
