Food trolleys FINALLY set to return to trains on ScotRail's north Highland routes
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Long-suffering Highland rail passengers may no longer have to go up to four-and-a-half hours without onboard refreshments – after ScotRail announced the return of food trolleys.
Fed up passengers in the far north have long complained about lack of on-board catering on many Highland rail services.
The issue was already a bone of contention in some areas before Covid struck – with Caithness passengers in particular getting used to stocking up on food before taking the Wick-Inverness train long before the pandemic struck and social distancing measures halted the service.
But recruitment issues in the years since then have left the mothballed facility in limbo... until now.
Following a successful recruitment drive, which has secured 10 new on-board hospitality staff, ScotRail is promising the return of a food-and-drink service "on the majority of Highland services" from November onwards.
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But while it's generally good news, the announcement comes with a caveat that the trolleys will be more common on Far North and Kyle line services during the busier tourist months of April to October, than they will be on those same routes over winter. So, if you're a winter traveller who has been in the habit of packing a sandwich or two before travelling, you may want to hang onto those plastic zip-lock bags and Thermos flask for a wee bit longer...
Announcing the return of food trolleys, Claire Dickie, ScotRail head of retail, said: “I’m thrilled that we're now in a position increase the number of trains across the Highlands which offer a food and drink service.
“This successful recruitment drive reinforces our commitment to supporting rural communities and helping Scotland’s economy grow.”
ScotRail added that the 10 new on-board hospitality staff are currently in training but are expected to have completed this "by the start of November".
They added that "once all new recruits have passed their training, ScotRail will provide a food and drink service on the majority of Highland services". This includes Far North Line, Kyle of Lochalsh Line, Highland Mainline, and Inverness-Aberdeen services.
Improvements to the trolley service aboard Highland trains has been welcomed by Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP Jamie Stone, who is also president of the Friends of the Far North Line.
However, while he also believes it's a step in the right direction, he added that he would like to see trolleys all year round across all routes, and not just the seasonal approach being taken for the Kyle and Far North lines.
He said: "This is certainly a step in the right direction. Rail journeys in and across the Highlands can often last a large part of the day so it is absolutely reasonable that passengers should expect to be able to eat and drink whilst on board. As a rail traveller myself, I for one will particularly welcome the return of a hot cuppa and a KitKat!
"That being said, it would be ideal to see the services restored to all Highland lines. Though the Far North and Kyle of Lochalsh lines are busier between April and October, passengers who rely on these lines outside of the seasonal period should also be able to access hospitality on board.
"Consistency in these services is key. Many of us have experienced the frustration of finding yourself without food or drink for the next four or five hours because you weren't aware the train you were about to board was without catering services that day. ScotRail would do well to ensure that – if it is truly impossible to provide these services all year round on all lines – that this is well advertised to passengers in advance."
