To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with Network Rail and ScotRail with regards to improving the Dumfries-Glasgow train service. (S6O-03672)

Transport Scotland officials regularly meet ScotRail and Network Rail Scotland to discuss rail services. Train services in Dumfries and Galloway have been improved through ScotRail’s previous timetable changes, which resulted in a consistent hourly service between Dumfries and Carlisle and a two-hourly service between Dumfries and Glasgow. Like many other routes, the Dumfries to Glasgow service has been affected by the current ScotRail temporary reduced timetable. I am hopeful that there will be a return of normal services, and I am keen for that to happen as soon as possible.

The Dumfries to Glasgow rail service is a vital link that connects communities in the south to Scotland’s cities. Constituents report that the service is slow and that the fleet servicing the line is dated. We have heard that, if the journey time is faster, such as by electrification, Dumfries and other areas of Dumfries and Galloway could become commuter towns for Glasgow, helping to address depopulation. Will the cabinet secretary agree to meet me to discuss how we can improve that important line?

The Scottish Government is committed to decarbonising its passenger rail network. That is set out in our decarbonisation plan, which is a dynamic document that is due for a refresh. That is under way, and we will examine how decarbonisation can best be achieved. The plan commits to all passenger diesel trains being replaced. The order in which and programme by which that is done will depend on business cases and available budgets.

Although there is no timeline for the electrification of the line from Glasgow to Dumfries, and it is yet to be confirmed, I am happy to meet Emma Harper to discuss that important matter in more detail.

It is not surprising that Emma Harper did not mention the 80 per cent fare hike for a ticket from Dumfries to Glasgow, which will rise from £24 to £43.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers has highlighted the flawed trial evaluation process, with the first survey being carried out in December, when there are fewer commuters, and the second survey being carried out in July, when many commuters in Scotland are on holiday. How can the cabinet secretary justify the decision to scrap the trial, which will result in exorbitant fare increases for hard-pressed rural commuters?

I will send Finlay Carson more detail on the season ticket reduction for Carlisle to Dumfries, but I can briefly tell him that someone will pay £8.91 for a return journey if they use a season ticket five days a week. Using a flexipass and discount, they will pay £15.95.

On the evaluation process, I note that December is a busy time for the trains. We had not wanted to do the second evaluation survey during the July period. However, because of the Conservative Government calling the election, we were—[ Interruption .]. No, genuinely, because it was a popular policy, we were asked not to do the research during the earlier June period and we had to postpone it to July. That is a matter of fact, whether Finlay Carson likes it or not. I did not like it and he does not like it, but it is a matter of fact.

Can the cabinet secretary explain why commuters who use the Dumfries to Glasgow Nith valley line face the largest hike in rail fares when peak fares are reintroduced? A peak-time return from Dumfries to Carlisle will increase from £7.60 to £23.50. That is a 211 per cent increase. Nowhere else in Scotland do people face such big differences between peak and off-peak fares as will be experienced by those who travel from Dumfries station. Why are people in my area being discriminated against as a result of the utterly illogical way in which ScotRail fares are set?

I am happy to ask ScotRail to provide an explanation directly to Colin Smyth. However, he makes a very important point about anomalies between fares and fare miles. One of the things that we did in taking rail into public ownership was to require ScotRail and Scottish Rail Holdings to provide a system that delivers a fairer system of fares. I am due to receive a report on that next year. That does not address the point that Colin Smyth makes as of now, but I will specifically take it up with ScotRail.

We are 20 minutes in and we are only halfway through the questions, so the questions will have to be briefer, as will the responses.