ScotRail achieved its busiest week of 2025, carrying nearly two million passengers as Oasis concerts and the Edinburgh Festivals boosted demand and highlighted rail’s vital role in Scotland’s economy. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

ScotRail achieved its busiest week of 2025, carrying nearly two million passengers as Oasis concerts and the Edinburgh Festivals boosted demand and highlighted rail’s vital role in Scotland’s economy.
Photo: ScotRail

On Friday, August 8, around 328,000 people boarded ScotRail trains, marking a 19 percent increase compared with last year. Saturday followed closely with 327,000 travelers, up 12 percent from 2024. These figures represent the highest ridership since December’s pre-Christmas peak.

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Oasis shows at Murrayfield Stadium drove exceptional demand. The final concert on Tuesday pushed total weekly travel to 1,995,000 passengers. Because of these surges, the company scheduled more trains and added capacity, ensuring reliable travel for fans. Staff even wore Oasis-themed hats to share the excitement.

At the same time, the Edinburgh Festivals contributed significantly. Organizers expected thousands of additional visitors, so ScotRail published travel guidance and extended timetables to handle increased movement between venues. The expanded plan remains in place until August 25.

ScotRail boosts services for major concerts

AC/DC’s upcoming shows on Thursday, August 21, are expected to continue the momentum. ScotRail has confirmed more services and additional seats, once again proving its ability to respond quickly to high-capacity events.

David Ross, Chief Operating Officer, emphasized that handling nearly two million passengers in one week reflects strong planning and operational discipline. He added that large cultural events remain a cornerstone for both rail growth and economic impact in Scotland.

ScotRail and the Edinburgh Festivals impact

The rise in passenger numbers highlights how major festivals and concerts stimulate Scotland’s transport network. The company’s approach—flexible scheduling, customer engagement, and added capacity—strengthens its position as the preferred travel choice.

For full details about enhanced festival timetables, travelers can visit Festival travel made easy with ScotRail’s enhanced timetable | ScotRail.

Source: railuk.com

FAQ

What is ScotRail’s busiest week on record?

ScotRail’s busiest week of 2025 so far saw nearly two million passengers, driven by Oasis concerts and the Edinburgh Festivals.

How does ScotRail support major events?

The company adds extra services, increases seating capacity, and provides travel guidance. More details are available on the ScotRail website.

Can I find ScotRail’s festival timetable online?

Yes. The full festival timetable is published here: Festival travel made easy with ScotRail’s enhanced timetable | ScotRail.

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