Scotland's Railways Well Respected

Despite the occasional delay or inconvenience, Scotland’s rail services continue to be in demand, with operators providing a generally high level of service, which is improving every day. As a country we are very reliant on our rail network for commuting and general travel, and for many reasons increased usage is good news for us all. However, it also poses challenges which must be addressed if the level of performance is to be maintained.

Indeed, in a discussion of rail fares in this month’s issue of Rail magazine, the point was made that Scotland is simplifying rail fares via a fair fares service, of which many passengers south of the border would be envious.

Indeed, one of the great benefits of old age—and there are not very many of them—is having access to the senior railcard, which costs just £30 a year and is a great bargain. That, coupled with offers from ScotRail, has meant that this week the cost of my return journey from Huntly to the south is a mere £17—provided that I travel off peak, of course. That is very good, and there are many opportunities for people to get such bargains whether travelling to Aberdeen or Plymouth.

However, the fare structure is not just about overall expense. For example, I have been advised that, when travelling from Keith to Inverness, one should buy a ticket to Muir of Ord, despite the fact it is beyond Inverness, because it is cheaper to do so. That is the sort of anomaly that I hope can be addressed to ensure that fairness, as well as value, is prioritised in the fare structure.

Indeed, on the subject of the Aberdeen to Inverness line, it is worth looking at what has happened at Inverurie. A proportion of the trains that previously stopped at Dyce now continue to Inverurie and, as a result, patronage has been driven up to and from there. To reflect demand, we now see the longest operational train anywhere on the ScotRail network—at seven carriages—running between Aberdeen and Inverness, a very important part of the network, and a vital service for my constituents and many others. This is just one example of Scotland’s railways adapting to demand, and I know that the logistics of journeys and rolling stock are constantly monitored and reviewed to ensure they are fit for purpose.

Quality of service, as well as performance, is also very important and the Scottish Government’s introduction of wi-fi on services throughout Scotland, as well as continuing improvements to rolling stock and station premises are all part of a positive campaign to encourage people to leave the car and use rail services where possible, benefitting the economy and the environment.

As it happens, my constituency of Banffshire and Buchan Coast is one of few on the mainland to have no railways stations whatsoever. However, I am pleased that pressure is growing for a feasibility study into the costs and benefits of re-establishing a rail link into Buchan.

With the expansion of rail services along the existing lines in the North-east including more services to Glasgow and Edinburgh now starting and terminating at Inverurie, more trains at Portlethen, a new station at Laurencekirk and a proposed station at Kintore, it is time to see if we can expand the network into some of the North-east’s largest communities.