Hearts fans face alcohol ban on Cup final trains

On-the-spot fines will be dished out to those who flout the rule before and after the Glasgow showdown with  St Mirren.

Fans have also been told engineering works at Linlithgow will mean no services beyond Polmont on the Edinburgh-Glasgow via Falkirk High line.

Buses will be laid on for passengers. However, rail bosses are urging Hampden-bound fans to board either of the Airdrie/Bathgate or Shotts services.

Fans from Linlithgow are advised to travel by bus or by other means of transport.

Under police plans, public transport will be a “dry” domain before and after the game – when a ban will be enforced by British  Transport Police.

This is in addition to ScotRail’s own 9pm-to-10am alcohol ban.

Trains will run every half hour and extra staff will be on hand to assist supporters at Edinburgh Waverley, Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen Street.

A ScotRail spokesman said: “We have worked closely with industry partners, including the clubs and British Transport Police to deliver a plan that will help thousands of fans enjoy the big day.

“To limit the impact of Network Rail’s engineering improvements near Linlithgow, we recommend fans from Edinburgh use the routes via either Airdrie or Shotts.

“We would also encourage fans to plan ahead, by buying tickets in advance and allowing plenty of time for their journeys, as services are likely to be busy.”

More than 25,000 fans are expected to travel from the Capital after club bosses revealed that there were just 1000 tickets left for the Scottish Communities League Cup final.

Demand to see the match has been extremely high, with Hearts on course to sell out their allocation of 25,500 in the coming days.

The Scottish Football League has given Hearts an extra 3500 tickets which were unsold from St Mirren’s allocation, a move which has angered the Paisley club.

St Mirren fans have bought more than 14,000 tickets for the big game.

Remaining tickets for the Hearts sections of the ground can be purchased by calling 0871 663 1874 and selecting option 1, online at Hearts’ eTickets website or in person at the ticket centre on McLeod Street.

Supporters are also advised that all seats on the official club buses for the big game have been sold out.