5. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on improvements to rail journeys in Fife. (S6O-01928)

As a frequent user of ScotRail’s Fife rail services, I am aware of the challenges with the operation of the current timetable, which have been compounded by the poor performance and availability of diesel trains in ScotRail’s fleet, on which Fife services are dependent.

ScotRail will review Fife service provision in the next phase of the “Fit for the Future” timetable exercise, to make sure that lessons are learned from the current performance. As part of the review, the member has been invited to a meeting that I am hosting with Fife members of the Scottish Parliament and ScotRail to discuss these matters in more detail.

I very much welcome the Minister’s commitment to include Fife rail service provision within the next timetable review, and I look forward to the meeting offered by the minister. However, can the minister say to my constituents who might be listening today when my constituents, such as those in North Queensferry, will be able to get direct trains around Fife during the day and when their commute to Edinburgh will be on trains in which they are not packed in like sardines?

I advise members that, on my train to work this morning, we were not packed in like sardines. It had three carriages and plenty of seats. Nonetheless, the member and I had a useful conversation with my officials and Transport Scotland last year—[

Interruption

.]—I am being heckled from a sedentary position. [

Interruption

.] I use our nationalised rail services regularly, and I would encourage other members to do likewise. [

Interruption

.]

The Presiding Officer:

Members—let us hear the Minister. Thank you.

That conversation has, in part, led to the review of Fife service provision, and I welcome the input that the member has had on behalf of her constituents.

Since the member and I met Transport Scotland, there have been some improvements to service provision. For example, ScotRail has advised that, in period 11, which ended on 7 January, 91.7 per cent of trains arriving at or terminating at Inverkeithing met the public performance measure, compared with 90.9 per cent of Fife circle trains as a whole. Notwithstanding that, I am sympathetic to the specific issue for Ms Ewing’s constituents in relation to the Fife circle line timetabling—

The Presiding Officer:

Briefly, Minister.

I will ensure that ScotRail provides Ms Ewing with an update on that point when we meet next month.