EXACTLY one month since the line opened on Sunday, September 6, more than 125,000 passenger journeys have been made on the Borders Railway.

Public interest in the new line soared following almost a week of celebrations, starting on Friday 4 September with a media preview trip and culminating in the line being officially opened by Her Majesty The Queen on Wednesday 9 September.

With 192 services running on the line each week, demand to travel has been so high that ScotRail has added additional carriages to busy trains – particularly on weekends and at midweek peaks.

The 125,971 total passenger journeys have included students, commuters, tourists and eager rail enthusiasts.

As well as this figure, 17 sold out steam trains will have run on the line before mid-October, carrying around 6,200 passengers on special return journeys from Edinburgh to Tweedbank.

Phil Verster, managing director of the ScotRail Alliance, said: “The incredible interest in the Borders Railway over the first few weeks highlights what a remarkable achievement has been made by the opening of the new line.

“By helping to create new opportunities for the people of the Scottish Borders, Midlothian and Edinburgh, this line better connects the regions and benefits both the local people and the local economy.

“There is a great future ahead for Scotland’s railways, and the Borders Railway is an exciting part of that.”

Minister for Transport and Islands, Derek Mackay, added: “The historic reopening of the Borders Railway has clearly captured people’s interest and I am delighted to see the soaraway success of services and impressive passenger numbers."