The Scottish Government is being urged to reinstate the direct rail link between Perth and Edinburgh amid claims the present journey takes as long as it did 100 years ago.
Following sustained pressure from campaign group Transform Scotland and MSP Liz Smith, Transport Scotland has said they will consider any proposal with a “robust business case.”
If the proposal was to come to fruition it would require a four-mile tunnel to avoid the M90.
Nevertheless, Ms Smith has asked for a feasibility study to look into the project which could shave 35 minutes from the current journey and would include re-opening a station at either Glenfarg or Kinross.
Transform Scotland claim the link is needed to keep the railway competitive and restoring the old line would lead to more commuters using trains.
Ms Smith said the issue has been raised by scores of businesses in Perth and Kinross and Fife.
She added: “It takes around the same time to travel between the two cities as it did 100 years ago in the Victorian era.
“A comparable journey in other countries takes between 35 to 50 minutes.
“We’ve suggested looking at re-opening Glenfarg or Kinross rail stations and we need quicker and better trains.”
Transport Scotland have begun a consultation process on the way it funds services.
Ms Smith said: “This consultation represents a real opportunity for people across the region to let the Scottish Government know exactly what they want from their transport services.
“Back in 2013, when I started my campaign…I received an impassioned response from local people in South Perthshire and Kinross who were keen to see the return of a direct rail link.”
She added that the actual route of the old link has not been formally identified yet.
The former trip, which closed in the 1970s, took in Dunfermline and Kinross.
A spokesperson for Transport Scotland said: “Although a new rail link between Perth and Edinburgh does not feature in the Scottish Government’s current £5 billion investment programme to 2019, we are committed to on-going improvements to rail services and connectivity.
“Projects will be considered subject to the Scottish Government’s investment priorities for the strategic transport network, a robust business case, affordability and other competing proposals.”
