ScotRail to increase peak time Fife Circle services

I am delighted to have secured a victory in my campaign for better rail services in Fife after ScotRail have confirmed to me that they were planning to increase the number of coaches during peak time services.

Train services, or rather lack of train services, is one of the biggest issues to fill my inbox as an MSP. From the Levenmouth Rail Link to peak time services on the Fife Circle it is clear that the Kingdom often gets short changed.

That is why I am pleased to see that ScotRail is committed to increasing the number of coaches available for their peak time service to 5, when electric trains are introduced to the Edinburgh and Glasgow route. However, it is worth remembering that this service was originally scheduled to run with 6 coaches so there is still room for improvement.

The assurance, from ScotRail Managing Director Phil Verster, came as I revealed statistics that show that over 11% of the 0709 train from Dundee to Edinburgh, which calls at all Fife Circle Stations via Burntisland, have been disrupted since late last year.

This includes cancelled services and a reduction in carriages which would lead to overcrowding.

For many workers, the Fife Circle is a vital transport link where even the slightest disruption can result in missed meetings or days off work.

Whilst I appreciated that some disruptions can be out with the control of ScotRail, that the vast majority come from a reduction in coaches seems to indicate that this is a problem that they should be able to fix.

For many commuters on the Fife Circle, that over 11% of their services have been disrupted is simply unacceptable.