Statistics no surprise – action would be

Anyone who suffers from claustrophobia should avoid the 4.34 from Edinburgh to Perth. The service has been named as the most overcrowded in the country.

Transport Scotland research reveals that the service runs at up to 136% capacity.

For many commuters, it will come as no surprise. Trains may be expensive, but they remain a popular option – sometimes a little bit too popular.

It is slightly ironic that, as officials continue to preach the need to ditch the car in favour of more sustainable forms of transport, some of the much-vaunted alternatives remain so manifestly unattractive.

As one observer – Mike Rumbles MSP – rather succinctly put it yesterday: “Commuters and tourists are shelling out more of their hard-earned money than ever before to perch in corridors.”

If it sounds unappealing, that’s because it is.

The study may make for grim reading, but at least it has quantified a problem that many travellers have all too readily identified.

By providing firm statistics, it might be hoped that those responsible will be prodded into taking action.

Indeed, a response was promptly provided, with extra capacity promised – although it may only be “cascaded” from 2019.

Commuters will believe it when they see it.