Edinburgh to North Berwick Line

[scotrail158713]

Does anyone know if there’s a reason why services on this line are half-hourly all day on a Saturday, but hourly the rest of the week? As a frequent user of this line it has confused me, and I couldn’t find anything giving any sort of reason why.

 

[computerSaysNo]

I thought it was because other operators have fewer services on a Saturday so there is more spare room on the line for ScotRail services?

 

[scotrail158713]

I thought it was because other operators have fewer services on a Saturday so there is more spare room on the line for ScotRail services?

That’s what I initially thought, but there’s not actually less services on a standard Saturday. If anything there is more as all LNER services start and finish at Waverley, instead of some finishing at Newcastle.
It may just be to do with unit availability.

 

[bramling]

That’s what I initially thought, but there’s not actually less services on a standard Saturday. If anything there is more as all LNER services start and finish at Waverley, instead of some finishing at Newcastle.
It may just be to do with unit availability.

Increased demand compared to weekday off-peak for day trips to the seaside (and perhaps day-trips into Edinburgh in the other direction)?

 

[scotrail158713]

Increased demand compared to weekday off-peak for day trips to the seaside (and perhaps day-trips into Edinburgh in the other direction)?

I suppose so - as well as the demand spread more throughout the day.

 

[pgfb1306]

It certainly used to be due to freight paths on the ECML getting in the way on weekdays which weren't there on Saturdays, allowing the half hourly frequency to operate.