“Scandalous” statistics which show there were more than 500 ‘full’ train cancellations at Inverkeithing rail station in the past year emphasise just how “chaotic” the rail service is, Murdo has said.
He was commenting following the release of data by ScotRail to the Scottish Conservatives through Freedom of Information, which reveals that 1,038 train services due to travel via Inverkeithing were more than nine minutes late, with 615 being between 10 to 14 minutes late.
In addition, the figures show that there were 548 full cancellations and 224 part-cancellations, in the past year up to November 7.
Murdo feels that rail passengers in Fife, particularly those who use Inverkeithing rail station, have been short-changed for years through the outdated practice of using short-running trains.
Commenting, he said: “These latest figures produced by ScotRail are scandalous and they show how chaotic the rail service is for most rail passengers in Fife. I have been raising the issue of ScotRail using short-running trains on the Fife Circle Line for years at Holyrood with SNP Government Ministers. I have experienced many incidents myself where only two carriages bound for Edinburgh were used at peak commuter time in the morning. This has led to dozens of commuters being left stranded on the platform at Inverkeithing and therefore late for work.
“I wrote to the Transport Secretary in October to highlight this ongoing problem but whilst I was pleased that she agreed with me that the current situation in Fife is ‘less than satisfactory,’ I was disappointed that she listed a plethora of reasons why there are problems on the Fife rail line. Fife rail commuters need more than warm words.
“It is interesting to see that the majority of full train cancellations at Inverkeithing rail station were due to fleet, infrastructure or traincrew problems. This ties in with the reasons given by the Transport Secretary for previous delays and cancellations at Inverkeithing rail station. It shows that it is time ScotRail rolled out newer, updated trains and it also demonstrates the impact of train drivers who refused to work at weekends or had taken strike action.”
Murdo continued: “Rail commuters in Fife have suffered short-running trains and service cancellations and delays for far too long. We need a rail service in Fife that is suitable for the 21st Century and I will continue to fight for that.”
