Saturday saw us back over in Edinburgh. We did have a great time, but it didn’t start well. Our train, from our local station, was cancelled. Frustratingly, the announcement came after the train was already late, and had already been cancelled for the last twenty minutes (the Cathcart circle, which we’re on, starts and terminates at Glasgow Central). Why they take so long to announce it is beyond me.
Then, of course, the inevitable bus ride horror of a noisy teenager right behind me who was using that silly feature on mobile phones of playing music aloud on horribly tinny speakers. It’s appalling not only for it’s arrogance, but also for the appalling things it does to the music (or whatever you call it). Despite my best judgement, I actually turned around and asked her (as nicely as I could), if she wouldn’t mind turning it down, using headphones, or switching it off. Shockingly - for the cynic in me - she did turn it off, her friend took the phone back, and peace was restored. I was, however, acutely aware I had made an enemy for life, but a part of me hoped that she might actually be a bit more considerate in future. Of course, it could have gone horribly wrong. Just goes to show that I’ve forgotten the knack of self-preservation on public transport.
It didn’t end there. Indeed, after feeling quite chuffed with myself for having succeeded, I was looking forward to a leisurely train journey over to Edinburgh. When I travel over to Edinburgh on business, I always get a seat, and manage to enjoy a coffee and a muffin. But that’s because I’m getting an early train (7.30am). On a weekend, at 11.45am, on the last weekend of the festival, it’s a different story. But First ScotRail seem to be pushing it too far by putting on a short train with insufficent coaches (just three; they can do six): There simply wasn’t enough room for the people getting on, let alone for the people at the stops between Glasgow and Edinburgh. So, stood up all the way in a very hot and stuffy carriage.
I just couldn’t work out why they’d not use longer trains. There are plenty of complaints that the transport infrastructure between Glasgow and Edinburgh is totally inadequate given the proximity, but nobody seems prepared to make tough decisions, just continuing with the status quo, perhaps refurbishing the odd station on occasion. What it really needs is serious investment, and increased frequency, especially during the festival when I think Glasgow could really benefit from, and contribute towards, the success of the festival. As it is, Scotland remains enamoured with the car, and it’s hard to see it changing with the transport infrastructure so atrocious.
The return journey was better. Despite a very busy platform, and the late arrival of the train, this time there were six coaches, and we were able to secure a seat by going much further down the platform towards the front of the train. Plenty of seats, so a much less stressful trip. Just the worrying of a final-year university student about grades, marks, teachers for most of the journey…. Still, plenty of taxi’s (our train service had stopped) at the other end meant the entire experience was much better.
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