After two months of suspension, from next Monday, 4 December, a limited train service will resume from Ayr with a half-hourly shuttle service between Ayr and Prestwick Town.

Services from Ayr station have been suspended after a devastating fire at the former Station Hotel building on 25 September. Because of a safety exclusion zone that has been placed around the former hotel building, ScotRail will still be unable to operate a full service to and from the station.

The half-hourly shuttle services will operate in and out of Platform 4 at Ayr station, and at Prestwick Town they will connect with existing services to Glasgow Central..

ScotRail is advising wishing to use the reinstated service to check their journey before they travel, and consult its social media channels for up to date travel information.

Two years ago, a fire destroyed the railway station at nearby Troon, and work started in October to rebuild it including restoring the canopies and platform 1 building, Network Rail hopes that the work to rebuilt the station will be completed so that it is ready to welcome fans  for The Open golf tournament being held in Troon in July 2024.

David Simpson, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, said: “The devastating fire at the former station hotel has had a significant impact on ScotRail services in the south west of Scotland.

“Our immediate focus was on ensuring the safety of our passengers and putting in alternative travel and rail services as quickly as possible.

“We know how much people rely on rail services, so we’re pleased that we’re now in a position to introduce a shuttle service between Ayr and Prestwick Town, which will connect with rail services to and from Glasgow Central.

“We are continuing to work with South Ayrshire Council, Network Rail, and other partners to restore services in full as soon as possible.”