Murdo says he will “keep a close eye” on planned promises made by the Scottish Government to improve rail services in Fife to ensure they take place.
He was commenting following a recent meeting with Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth, ScotRail, Network Rail and Scotland’s Railway.
A series of measures were suggested at the meeting, which if introduced, will improve rail travel in Fife.
Commenting, Murdo Fraser MSP said: “At the meeting, I raised the concerns from constituents about the Fife rail network, and, in particular, the problem of overcrowding. It was acknowledged at the meeting that this is an issue. This has been primarily caused by ‘short trains’ with only two carriages, and it was revealed at the meeting that ScotRail are still using a diesel fleet of trains in Fife, and that these trains are more likely to break down.
“The plan is to improve maintenance on these trains so that by May there will be improved capacity, and this will substantially reduce the use of ‘short trains.’”
Murdo continued: “There is also a plan to introduce a new timetable for the Fife rail network in May 2024, which will need to go out to public consultation. It was agreed at the meeting that there were issues with recent proposed changes to the timetable for trains in Fife as many people felt they were left with an insufficient service.
“Then, in the longer-term – probably in the next five years – there is a plan to introduce electric trains in Fife, which will be a major improvement as electric trains are less likely to break down than diesel ones, and these trains should also keep to the timetable.
“I was grateful to all those who attended the meeting and very much welcome these planned improvements to the rail network in Fife. However, I will be keeping a close eye on these promises to make sure the Scottish Government meet their commitments.”
On April 1, 2022, ScotRail was nationalised by the Scottish Government.
