TRAIN commuters between Glasgow and Ayrshire got a £28.5million boost today.

Huge improvement works will see a half hourly service between Glasgow and Kilmarnock, while an off peak express train will also cut six minutes from the normal journey time.

The investment is a huge boost not just to Kilmarnock, but to the commuter towns of Stewarton, Kilmaurs and Dunlop.

They are already popular with Glasgow workers and, with the areas having cheaper house prices than the South Side, are expected to continue to expand.

More seats and more trains are just some of the benefits rail passengers in south west Scotland will gain from a £28.5m package of rail infrastructure enhancements announced today by Scottish Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson.

Network Rail is already carrying out extensive engineering works, on behalf of Transport Scotland, to double a stretch of existing track to create a second line between Stewarton and Lugton.

This means that from next year rail users travelling between Glasgow and Kilmarnock will have more choice and an additional off-peak express calling at Stewarton.

This will reduce journey times by up to six minutes and give added benefits by speeding up connections across south west Scotland, to Carlisle and on to all parts of England.

Off peak journey times will be around 34 minutes. Peak services will range between 38 and 42mins.

During peak periods, commuters in Kilmaurs and Dunlop will be able to take advantage of a half hourly service that offers more seats and increased capacity.

Mr Stevenson said: "The rail network in Scotland makes a significant contribution to the Scottish Government's key purpose of increasing sustainable economic growth.

"With more than 1500 additional seats on a daily basis, communities will have more choice and a real alternative to the car."

Ron McAulay, Network Rail's director for Scotland, said: "This will have real benefits for existing and future rail users on this route.

"It will also allow Transport Scotland to increase the frequency and quality of services."

Network Rail's other engineering works on behalf of Transport Scotland include extending existing platforms, renewing and strengthening bridges and enhancing the signalling capacity along the route.

Engineering works should be complete by October 2009, with the new services starting next December.