As stopping services in Broughty Ferry have previously increased, the travelling public has made good use use of these trains. In fact Broughty Ferry station has recorded the largest percentage increase in passengers at any station in the region.
This is a positive development which I, and many others, have campaigned for.
In the intervening period before 2018/19, TACTRAN (the regional transport body), ScotRail and Transport Scotland have been charged with developing the fine detail of how these additional train services will run. For example, will the hourly trains stopping at Broughty Ferry Station connect directly to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen? If travelling north, south or west, at which stations will passengers be able to get a quick connection from the slower stopping train to the express and vice-versa?
I should however like to point out that the Transport Minister in the Scottish Government is rather guilty of exaggeration when describing the impact of extending the life of thirteen, otherwise redundant, 3 carriage diesel trains as a 'rail revolution'.That might have been a more accurate description had he been announcing that lines north of Edinburgh and Glasgow were to be electrified.
There is also a related value for money issue for taxpayers. I think we are entitled to know why the redeployment of these diesel powered trains was not anticipated and included in the tendering of the new ten year franchise which is entirely devolved to the Scottish Government. Dutch operator Abellio only took over running ScotRail on 1st April 2015. Will the cost of 'adding extras' to the existing franchise be best value? Who is responsible for leaving this out of the franchise agreement?
Link to Ministerial Statement
‘Rail revolution’ means 200 more services and 20,000 more seats for Scots passengers.
