New train Perth to Edinburgh service is a capital idea

Sep 30 2008 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

THE announcement from First ScotRail that Perth will soon see an hourly direct train service to Edinburgh was welcomed yesterday by Mid-Scotland and Fife Tory MSP Murdo Fraser.

Murdo has been campaigning since 2004 for improvements to the Perth to Edinburgh rail service and raised the issue in the Scottish Parliament via debates and parliamentary questions.

He also met First ScotRail management on the subject.

Murdo said: “The new train timetable must tie in and co-ordinate with the bus operators’ timetables that serve Perthshire.

“There must be joined up thinking with bus operators so that commuters from Perthshire’s towns suchas Alyth, Blairgowrie and Coupar Angus are wellconnected to Perth’strain service and can use it.”

Murdo also hopes that First ScotRail will go further and improve train services between Perth and Inverness.

“More emphasis should be put on Highland Perthshire train services, with more services being offered at these stops and more investment in the stations.

“It is my view that train stations in Highland Perthshire are under used, simply because there is no frequent service.

“Stations such as Dunkeld and Birnam, Pitlochry and Blair Atholl have a very infrequent service.

“More frequent trains, as well as investment in the stations, will bring benefits to the local area as well as improve passenger numbers on these services.”