A HIGH frequency rail service will operate across Glasgow during the Commonwealth Games.

And extra carriages will be added to long distance trains linking the city with the rest of Scotland.

Glasgow 2014 today announced ScotRail, part of the Aberdeen-based FirstGroup, has become the latest addition to the Games sponsor family.

The full rail timetable which will operate during the sporting event is due to be announced in Spring.

But it is expected the train operator will deliver more than one million passenger journeys over the 11 days of the sporting competition.

Travelling on ScotRail services within the Glasgow boundary will be included in the price of the Games ticket for spectators.

More than 3000 ScotRail staff are already undergoing specialist customer service training ahead of the Games to guarantee a world-class welcome to visitors to Glasgow and Scotland.

Glasgow 2014 chief executive David Grevemberg said: "This summer's Commonwealth Games will see over 6500 athletes and officials come to Glasgow for 11 days of fantastic competition that will put Glasgow and Scotland on the world stage.

"The city will be bustling with activity and with ScotRail's additional services supporting Games spectators and their highly trained staff greeting hundreds of thousands of new visitors to the city I'm sure we will deliver an outstanding Games experience everyone can enjoy."

FirstGroup chief executive Tim O'Toole said: "We are proud of our Scottish heritage and the important role we play connecting people and communities up and down Scotland every day.

"The Commonwealth Games, falling in the Year of Homecoming, provides an important opportunity for Scotland to promote itself around the world and we look forward to playing our part, moving people around Glasgow and Scotland as quickly and efficiently as we can."

Commonwealth Games Minister Shona Robison welcomed ScotRail to the team which she said would deliver the best ever Commonwealth Games.

She said: "The extra train services planned and specialist training for staff will give spectators and visitors a great service and a warm welcome, helping people enjoy the Games experience."

vivienne.nicoll@eveningtimes.co,.uk