Moray MP Douglas Ross recently wrote to Scotrail seeking answers to the many constituent complaints he had received relating to the train service on the Inverness to Aberdeen line and in particular between Inverness and Elgin.
In his response David Simpson, Operations Director with Scotrail attempted to clarify the situation.
Douglas said “I received a lot of complaints about the service including constituents being left high and dry on the platform when trains had been cancelled at short notice and also about trains running late, being too high for passengers to climb into due to the type of rolling stock and doors that some found difficult to open and close.
“Scotrail have advised me that these disruptions were due to a number of factors related at the time to the location of train crew, availability of rolling stock and track infrastructure.
“However, Scotrail are working with Network Rail to provide sidings at the Elgin where they are looking at the opportunity of also creating a traincrew depot, both of which will enhance this service.
“Issues with delivery of the new refurbished intercity trains on the Inverness to Aberdeen line exacerbated the problems as old rolling stock had to be utilised.
“Scotrail are due to take delivery of 26 upgraded high speed trains from their suppliers which will come with electric doors and should be an improvement on what we have just now. They have reassured me that the number of cancellations is reducing steadily, and they apologised for the service provided over these past few months, promising a vastly improved service going forward.
“ We will wait to see how quickly this happens and Scotrail will be judged on whether these improvements make the positive difference we hope they do. I will continue to highlight concerns raised with me by local people until Moray commuters get the service they deserve”.
