Rachael Hamilton MSP sought reassurances from ScotRail boss Alex Hynes at this week’s meeting of the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee.
Managing Director of ScotRail, Alex Hynes, was called in front of the REC Committee to explain ScotRail’s Remedial Plan, because of months of poor service.
During questioning, Ms Hamilton raised the issue of the lack of carriages at peak times and the knock on impact this was having on commuters as a result of them being late for work.
Mr Hynes apologised and said he was ‘very sorry’ and that Scotrail are ‘working flat out to fix the issues’. He explained that performance is steadily improving on the Borders Railway, and the clearing of the driver-training backlog at Edinburgh will result in improvements from next week.
ScotRail’s Sue Evans (Communications Director) and David Simpson (Operations Director) have offered to meet with Ms Hamilton and her constituents to discuss the current issues.
Ms Hamilton along with other local politicians, John Lamont MP and Michelle Ballantyne MSP have been campaigning this week to see a more reliable service put in place.
Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP, Rachael Hamilton said:
“What we have experienced so far on the Borders Railway to date is nothing short of shambolic, therefore I was pleased that ScotRail boss Alex Hynes apologised to Borders passengers, and he acknowledges the service hasn’t been up to standard.
“I am glad that ScotRail's management team have offered to meet with me and my constituents in light of this poor service.
“Constant pressure from myself and others is finally paying off, and I am pleased we are due to see improvements shortly as a result of the backlog of driver training at Edinburgh finally being cleared.
“Whilst I welcome the extra investment and the Remedial Action Plan, the issues that the Borders Railway is facing cannot be addressed with a quick fix, they require urgent action.
“Hopefully now we will see reliability improve and the number of carriages increase at rush hour, but as ever, I will be keeping a close eye on this to make sure promises are fulfilled”.