ScotRail is to become the official transport partner for The Hydro, Scotland’s new home for live entertainment. The iconic 12,000-seater arena, currently under construction beside the SECC in Glasgow, is just three minutes’ walk from the nearest railway station.

The train operator is keen to encourage more people to take the train to events, and is exploring opportunities to assist customers get to and from The Hydro.

Graeme Macfarlan, marketing manager for ScotRail, said: “This is an ideal partnership for our customers, and one that will also benefit Scotland economically and environmentally.  Making the train part of The Hydro experience will be the smart option, given our frequent services.

“We have extensive experience of transporting high numbers of customers to major sporting and other events.  We believe the Hydro will attract people from all corners of Scotland, so we’re already looking at expanding our offering, perhaps via integrated ‘ticket + travel’ opportunities.”

Peter Duthie, commercial director of the SECC, said: “We are delighted to announce ScotRail as the official transport provider for The Hydro and SECC.  This appointment recognises the important role ScotRail continues to play in delivering our customers to and from the SECC complex.

“When The Hydro opens in September 2013 we will be staging events with a capacity of 12,000 so good transport links will be increasingly important to us.

“We look forward to continuing the excellent relationship we have with ScotRail.”

Some 15% of visitors to the SECC currently travel by train.  The railway station is connected by a raised, covered walkway to The Hydro.

The Hydro will host the MOBO awards in 2013, and gymnastics and netball for Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. With an audience of one million visitors each year, The Hydro aims to be one of the top five indoor music arenas in the world alongside iconic venues such as Madison Square Gardens and The O2 arena.