Rachael Hamilton MSP along with John Lamont MP and Michelle Ballantyne MSP launched a campaign and survey this week calling for improvements to the ScotRail service on the Borders Railway.
The survey, which can be completed here, https://www.rachaelhamilton.co.uk/form/borders-railway, and calls on the Scottish Government and ScotRail to deploy new rolling stock to the Borders Railway by the end of 2019 to alleviate overcrowding.
Moreover, the campaign calls on ScotRail to implement an immediate improvement to customer satisfaction for local commuters and visitors.
ScotRail’s own performance statistics show that only half of trains arriving at, and departing from Tweedbank are on time.
For months the Borders Railway has been plagued with cancellations and delays, many of which have been at commuter times, causing significant disruption to Borderers’ everyday plans.
During Rachael Hamilton’s visit to the station to distribute campaign leaflets, the 0828 peak time train was reduced to two carriages, which is a common occurrence on the line, leading to overcrowding by the time Edinburgh bound trains arrive in Midlothian stations.
Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP, Rachael Hamilton said:
“Borderers have borne the brunt of the worst of the delays and cancellations. Many commuters from my constituency of Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire are simply fed up of the poor service.
“As we were distributing leaflets at Tweedbank, it was announced that one of the rush hour trains was to be reduced to two carriages. I dread to think how overcrowded that train would have been by the time it got to Waverley.
“This is an everyday occurrence on the line, and I am furious that it has gone on for so long; that’s why we have decided to take action.
“Punctuality has been shocking recently, with commuters missing appointments and having to apologise for being late for work.
“I can imagine the responses to the joint survey won’t be exactly praising the service, and it all feeds into the case being made to the Transport Secretary and ScotRail that immediate improvement is needed”.