Rail Travel (Fife Circle)

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at on 25 January 2018.

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Photo of Humza Yousaf Humza Yousaf Scottish National Party

I am sure that Alex Rowley understood from my answer that I was in no way dismissing the concerns. I completely understand them, and I have been keeping up with the coverage of the issue in the

Dunfermline Press.

I will try to wrap some context around the issue. For most of 2017, until the autumn months, there was a significant improvement in Fife rail services, with performance running at about 90 or 94 per cent. However, the services have not coped well since the autumn months, which is the reason for the independent review. I have been contacted by many MSPs from across the chamber who represent Fife, including Shirley-Anne Somerville, Annabelle Ewing, Jenny Gilruth and Liz Smith.

I spoke to Alex Hynes this morning about this issue and others. I am more than happy for my office to facilitate a meeting between Alex Hynes and the MSPs who have contacted me and others from Fife, including Alex Rowley. I would also be more than happy to meet Alex Rowley individually. However, because it is a matter for ScotRail, I think that a meeting with the managing director would be the appropriate measure, and my office will facilitate that meeting if that would be helpful.

As the member probably knows, there will be an upgrade in the rolling stock later in 2018 or early in 2019. Nevertheless, people in Fife should not have to wait for that to get an improvement in their service; therefore, the immediate priority is getting that improvement in performance.

On Mr Rowley’s latter point, I understand his ideological position but I gently remind him that it is the Scottish National Party Government that has allowed a public sector bidder to bid for the railways for the first time—something that was denied by successive Labour Governments at Westminster.