A rail company has advised passengers about travelling to and from a major sporting event.

ScotRail reminded the golf fans travelling to the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews about the alternative transport available due to the temporary timetable in place.

The train operator is running a very limited number of trains to and from Leuchars, the nearest station to St Andrews, during The Open which started today (July 10), and ending next week.

Trains from Carlisle and Scotland remain the same.

The temporary timetable sees trains operate roughly every 60 minutes between Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Leuchars throughout the event.

On May 23 ScotRail introduced a temporary timetable to provide greater certainty and reliability for customers as a result of a significant number of drivers declining to make themselves available for overtime or rest day working, as is their right, due to ongoing strike negotiations.

While progress has been made and the drivers’ union ASLEF has put ScotRail’s latest pay offer to a referendum of its members with a recommendation to accept, the result of this vote will be announced tomorrow (July 11).

ScotRail is advising customers that space on board trains is very limited, and no rail replacement transport is available, so customers should plan ahead, check their entire journey, and know what alternative modes of transport are available to them and is advised.

The local bus network operated by Stagecoach links St Andrews to Dundee, Cupar, Glenrothes, and the villages around the East Neuk of Fife, as well as an express bus service connecting to Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Additional park and ride facilities are available for fans travelling to The Open by road.

Phil Campbell, ScotRail’s head of customer operations, said: “We’ve been working closely with key partners, including The R&A, Fife Council, and Transport Scotland, and we’re doing everything we can to play our part and support travel to the historic event, but regrettably, our temporary timetable will still be in place throughout The Open.

“This means there is a very limited number of trains to and from Leuchars – the closest station to the course – so we urge fans to plan ahead and consider their travel options.

“Space on board our trains is limited, so I’d urge anyone travelling to The Open to consider alternative modes of transport as there will be significantly long queues at stations and we may not be able to get you to the course.”

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