A councillor has expressed disappointment after the withdrawal of a rush-hour train service linking north-east Fife with the central belt and England.
Howe of Fife and Tay Coast representative Donald Lothian spoke out after CrossCountry announced it was removing the Dundee to Plymouth service, which calls in at Ladybank at 8.03am.
The train was used by many to get to Edinburgh, and Mr Lothian fears its cancellation will place extra strain on other early morning services from Fife.
“The withdrawal of this service is disappointing, not only because it is an additional early train to Edinburgh, but also because of the service it provided from north Fife to the Midlands and the West Country,” the councillor said.
Mr Lothian has made contact with First Scotrail the providers of other local services in a bid to ensure they are equipped to deal with a potential upsurge in passenger numbers.
“I have written to First Scotrail asking whether the withdrawal of this service might place extra demand on their early morning services (Dundee to Edinburgh, stopping at Ladybank at 7.49am, and Blair Atholl to Edinburgh, stopping at Ladybank at 8.22am) heading south to Edinburgh,” he said.
“If so, I have requested information of the details of any measures they may be considering to deal with it.”
Mr Lothian is keen to ensure there is no diminution of the services on offer to those in the kingdom.
“There have been welcome improvements in the rail service in recent years,” he continued. “However, it is important that the best service, heading both north and south, is maintained.”
When contacted by The Courier, a spokesman for CrossCountry pointed out that alternative services were on offer to local people.
“We have been involved in discussions with other train operators, Network Rail and the Department for Transport for many months to agree the best possible local and long-distance train services for Scotland,” he said.
“The timetable being introduced in May tries to accommodate all operators and the wishes of the Department for Transport.
“While CrossCountry will no longer be operating this service, we will continue to run our 06.32 Dundee to Plymouth train which stops at Ladybank-and gives journey opportunities from north Fife with people being able to change at Edinburgh Waverley.”
Meanwhile, a spokesman at Scotrail said the organisation “regularly monitors and reviews” the services it offers.