The number of trains stopping at stations in Angus and Broughty Ferry could rocket over the next 12 months under new ScotRail plans, which promise to open up the line to tourists and commuters.
The train company’s proposals would see the number of stops made by trains at Broughty Ferry more than double while four times as many trains could call at nearby Monifieth in Angus.
Scotrail’s Revolution in Rail programme promises to introduce new rolling stock north of the border, which will allow the company to add extra services and seats.
This will have a major impact on the route between Aberdeen and Glasgow.
It will also introduce an hourly service from Dundee to Broughty Ferry, Monifieth, Carnoustie and Arbroath.
ScotRail’s head of business development Scott Prentice told regional transport partnership Tactran the changes would create a “viable rail service for local commuting and leisure journeys to/from Dundee and Aberdeen for the first time since the 1980s”.
Under the proposals, by 2019 the number of trains stopping at Broughty Ferry will increase to 33, while the number stopping at Monifieth will rise from seven to 27.
The number of services stopping at Carnoustie will rise from 34 per day to 40 and from 73 to 89 at Arbroath.
The new services should start being introduced from May.
Liberal Democrat Broughty Ferry councillor Craig Duncan said: “I understand that Broughty Ferry can expect a significant rise from the current level of around 12 trains per weekday, moving towards 33 trains per day.
“This will achieve an hourly service and will be delivered by gradual timetable changes from May 2018.
“This underlines the importance that rail station improvement works currently underway at Broughty Ferry proceed without delay in order to accommodate new rolling stock and address current access issues with platform one.
“I have been pushing hard to ensure these works are not adversely affected by the difficulties facing Carillion and have received appropriate reassurances.”
Mr Duncan added: “Extra services will be a huge boon to promote more tourist visitors to Broughty Ferry as well as enabling residents to have a genuine option to commute by rail. This will ensure that users get access to the best available fare deals often only available on-line.
“I will also continue to press for the installation of a ticket machine at Broughty Ferry. It is absurd that potential users of good deals, often only available ‘on line’ need to go to another station such as Dundee to collect certain types of ticket not available to purchase on board the train.”
SNP Montrose councillor Bill Duff, who attended the Tactran meeting in Perth, said: “It is good news for Angus.
“From my understanding there will be more trains coming into Dundee with more stops at Carnoustie, Broughty Ferry and Monifieth.
“I think that services between Montrose and Aberdeen will also be improved as well.”
ScotRail figures show Edinburgh is the most popular destination for travellers from Dundee, with an average 1,353 journeys per day, followed by Perth (733 journeys per day), Glasgow (709), Aberdeen (506) and Arbroath (475).
The most popular destination for Perth commuters is Glasgow (919) while for both Carnoustie (188) and Arbroath (475) it is Dundee.
