A sleek new £9 million railway station has recently opened in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, marking a significant milestone in Scotland's railway transformation. The station was delivered by Network Rail in partnership with contractor AmcoGiffen. This railway station replaces the town's previous one and is expected to drastically improve travel journeys for commuters going between East Kilbride and Glasgow.

East Kilbride is about 8 miles away from Glasgow Central and the train journey typically takes about 30 to 35 minutes. ScotRail typically runs two to three trains per hour between East Kilbride and Glasgow Central, with even more services during peak times, clearly showing the strong commuter demand.

Equipped with modern amenities including a new ticket office, ticket barriers, improved waiting areas, and enhanced accessibility features, the new station first opened on August 20 and has been built as part of the of the broader East Kilbride Enhancement Project.

This project is a £140-£144 million Scottish Government initiative aimed at electrifying the line, improving the infrastructure, and making rail travel cleaner and more reliable.

Other upgrades along the route include the newly opened £16 million Hairmyres station, as well as improved footbridges at Busby, Clarkston, and Giffnock, and the replacement of the railway bridge in Busby.

A new road bridge has also been installed on Thornliebank Road as part of the multiple infrastructure works.

Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, said: "The opening of this new station in East Kilbride is the latest milestone in the delivery of the significant investment this Scottish Government has made across the route.

"The new station is fitting for a line that is benefiting from modernisation, bringing with that greener and more sustainable electric trains on completion of this £144m programme. It is a clear example of our commitment to making rail a more attractive travel option."

Liam Sumpter, MD of Network Rail Scotland, also said: "We know how important East Kilbride station is for people travelling to work, accessing education, and reaching vital services.

"That's why we wanted to create a space that feels modern, welcoming, and built around the needs of the community. Everyone involved in the project has delivered on that vision, and the result is a station that's truly fit for the future.

"The East Kilbride enhancement project is one of the most significant rail upgrades we've delivered in recent years. Each milestone, such as this one, brings us closer to a railway that better serves our passengers.

"We're reaching the final stages now as we work to complete the electrification of the line and welcome electric trains onto the route towards the end of the year."