Dundee’s two MSPs have thrown their weight behind proposals to boost rail services in the area.
Shona Robison, who represents Dundee East, and her Dundee West counterpart Joe FitzPatrick, said they support proposals by TACTRANS (Tayside and Central Scotland Transport Partnership) to establish more frequent rail services between Arbroath and Perth.
The issue of the small number of trains that stop at stations like Invergowrie and Broughty Ferry and timetabling which means those services that do exist are unsuitable for commuter traffic raised its head again last week after news a major investment programme in stations around Aberdeen has led to a boom in train passengers.
Supporting calls for a Tay Estuary Rail Study (TERS) to enhance service levels at stations, Shona Robison explained, “It had proved impossible over a number of years to persuade national rail companies to make more trains stop at stations like Broughty Ferry or Monifieth, so the TERS proposal was the ideal solution.
“I have always been convinced that if more trains did stop at stations, like Broughty Ferry at more convenient times, more people would use them, and particularly for short local trips and commuting to work.
“I have every hope that the Tayside Estuary Rail service proposals will improve service levels at Broughty Ferry, Monifieth and other intermediate stations such as Invergowrie and Carnoustie, without impacting adversely on the core inter-city network.”
Mr FitzPatrick added, “The Scottish Government is working towards getting more people on to public transport to reduce carbon emissions, make the air cleaner and, of course, improve the quality of public transport.
“I am sure that having more frequent rail services between intermediate stations on the Arbroath to Perth route and linking up with park and ride facilities would allow more people to commute to their work by train which would be a good thing.”
Network Rail has confirmed that it is reviewing proposals for train travel in Tayside, but has warned that there may be no easy answers.