Stop-skip incidents aredown

Latest figures show an improvement in incidents of stop skipping or partcancellations of train services to Stirling and Bridge of Allan.

Details were revealed in a letter to Mid Scotland Green MSP Mark Ruskell from transport minister Humza Yousaf.

The practice of missing timetabled stops has led to growing anger, particularly among commuters.

Mr Yousef said the incidents of stop-skipping reduced in the four weeks to the end of March this year, compared with the previous four weeks.

The figure fell from 23 incidents to seven for services to Stirling and 37 incidents to 14 for trains to Bridge of Allan.

Mr Yousef said frequencies of trains from Dunblane to Edinburgh and Glasgow would remain at two per hour after rail line electrification.

But he said the project would allow operators to use faster trains with a greater seating capacity.

Mr Ruskell said: “I very much welcome the significant improvements in Scotrail’s performance, which will have come as a relief to some commuters travelling through Stirling, Bridge of Allan and on to Dunblane.

“I’ll continue to monitor the situation closely, engaging with the minister and Scotrail.

“The previous poor service was rightly criticised and, while there is clearly more work required to deliver the quality service people expect, I welcome the direction of travel.

“I am hopeful that the electrification works and the rollout of newer, faster, longer trains will improve the service further.”