Tayside’s regional transport partnership has promised to ”strongly resist” any attempt to close low-use stations between Broughty Ferry and Carnoustie.
Tactran has been taking part in a consultation on the future of railways.
It said: ”Under a review of stations, the plan highlights those stations that were used by less than 1,000 passengers in 2009/10. These include Barry Links, Golf Street and Balmossie, which are served by only two trains per day.
”It notes that the passenger revenue at these stations is often insufficient to cover the cost of stopping trains in terms of fuel and maintenance, let alone the station maintenance costs and lost revenue from extending journey times for trains calling.
”Whilst the plan does not suggest further action regarding these stations, there is an implication that closure could be considered at a future date.
”The partnership’s work on developing local and regional rail services through the Tay Estuary Rail Study (TERS) envisages that currently poorly served and lightly used stations would benefit from the provision of additional stopping services.
”Therefore any suggestion that existing stations should be under threat of closure would be strongly resisted.”
Tactran said the apparent focus on low-use stations raises concerns about the industry’s commitment to their future maintenance and potential development.
It added: ”Tactran is opposed to any suggested closure of any of the stations listed within the region. The low level of usage reflects the limited service provided at these stations.”
The partnership has developed proposals to improve regional rail services and facilities through TERS, which sets out proposals for introducing additional stopping services between Arbroath and Glasgow. These would supplement faster and more frequent ScotRail Express network services between Aberdeen/Inverness and the Central Belt.
Tactran said: ”Implementation of the TERS proposals would provide an opportunity to develop the role and potential of existing lightly used stations, which should be retained for possible future development.”
This would ”significantly increase” the number of passengers using Broughty Ferry, Monifieth and Carnoustie stations, all of which are on the same line as Barry Links, Golf Street and Balmossie.
”It is considered also that the rail industry currently fails to take the full opportunities offered by these and other stations. For example, the 2014 Commonwealth Games outdoor shooting events are taking place at Barry Buddon, which is immediately adjacent to Barry Links station, yet rail passengers accessing the event will be required to travel to Carnoustie or Dundee and use a connecting bus service,” Tactran said.
Since December an additional five trains northbound and four trains southbound stop at Broughty Ferry. This was part of the first phase of implementing TERS and was delivered through negotiations between Tactran and ScotRail.
”Working with ScotRail we issued rail timetable leaflets to all households in the DD5 postcode catchment and are jointly funding with ScotRail new customer information screens, which will be installed when ongoing work to convert former station buildings into a restaurant has been completed,” Tactran said.
”ScotRail is also providing improved cycle racks, whilst Dundee City Council is arranging for improvements to the fabric and maintenance of the station pedestrian underpass. We are continuing to explore the scope for implementing further local rail service improvements envisaged by TERS beyond December 2012.
”We will also be making the case for further introduction of our TERS proposals in responding to Transport Scotland’s current consultation on services to be delivered under the next ScotRail franchise.”