A petition aims to persuade the Scottish Government to look again at the creation of a £1 billion direct rail link between Perth and Edinburgh.
The link is considered vital to the long-term economic expansion of Perth and Kinross as it prepares for a period of unprecedented population growth.
It would reduce travel times between the capital and the north by more than 30 minutes and help communities such as Perth attract new business.
Transport Scotland has said that there is “no business case” for the link but campaigners believe that overlooks the needs of Perthshire, Kinross-shire and Fife.
In a bid to force a change of strategy, Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Liz Smith visited Kinross to launch the petition calling for the reopening of a direct rail link between Perth and Edinburgh.
She is calling upon the Scottish Government to commission a new feasibility study and will also seek a debate in the Scottish Parliament on the subject.
“I have been heartened by the significant support which my campaign to reopen a direct rail link between Perth and Edinburgh has already attracted,” Ms Smith said.
“The campaign is resonating with people across Perthshire, Kinross-shire and Fife.
“For a number of years, both businesses and local residents across Perthshire and Kinross-shire and Fife have raised the issue of the possible reopening of a direct rail link between Perth and Edinburgh.
“The population has increased significantly in recent years and projections show the population is set to increase by approximately 27% in the period up to 2033. It is vital, therefore, that we secure investment in our transport infrastructure to meet the future needs of our communities for the 21st Century.
“No one doubts that there is a lot of work to do in taking this forward but I hope we can get the project on the right track and deliver this key infrastructure improvement.”
Groups such as national sustainable transport alliance Transform Scotland are also pressing the Government on the need for a direct line.
To get from Perth to Edinburgh by train currently requires a circuitous journey around the Fife coast, ensuring that travel by rail does not make an attractive alternative to a journey by road.
Ms Smith added: “Only the reinstatement of this link will truly open up routes to the north from Edinburgh.
“It would bring a 35-minute reduction in the journey time from Edinburgh to Perth and Inverness; provide the opportunity to reduce journey times to Aberdeen; and allow the creation of new stations at key growth areas such as Kinross and Bridge of Earn.
“It would also allow the creation of a key hub on the inter-city network at Perth and make proper use of this iconic station,” she went on.
“I am keen to hear the opinions of local people on this issue and have, therefore, started circulating a local petition card which I hope will give local residents and the local community the chance to support the campaign.”