As Halbeath Park and Ride celebrated its first year, there have been renewed calls to create a rail halt on the site.
Opened as part of the new Queensferry Crossing project, the £10 million transport hub has been a runaway success in its first 12 months, as travellers use the free 1,000-space car park and continue their journeys by bus or in car-sharing arrangements.
In its first year Halbeath is averaging 400 cars a day.
“This has exceeded all our expectations and compares very favourably with Ferrytoll, which averaged 250 during its first year,” said Fife’s transport spokesman Pat Callaghan.
“We expect usage figures to continue increasing as Halbeath will support the new crossing, which is due to open in 2016.”
Although it has been successful, there have been calls to integrate the site into the rail network the Fife Circle line runs along the edge of the park and ride car park.
MSP Alex Rowley said he is continuing to push Fife Council and the Scottish Government to further develop a more firmed-up proposal for a rail halt and station for Halbeath.
“Given the link to the park and ride, this would be the most substantial transport hub in the east of Scotland, serving Fife and Kinross with bus and rail services from every community.
“There will continue to be a demand on resources to invest in such facilities and that is why I believe that the Halbeath station must be seen as the priority, and why Fife Council transportation services needs to get a move on with working this proposal up.
“Part one of such a development would be the halt and station and part two, which will require greater investment but is of equal importance, is a direct rail link between Halbeath and Inverkeithing, as well as a direct link into the Port of Rosyth.
“Such an investment would be a great boost for the Fife economy and the wider city-region area.”
City of Dunfermline chairwoman Helen Law said the site is a huge bonus to the area.
“I am looking forward to seeing the park and ride get a rail stop in the future.
“That would be a welcome addition it would be the icing on the cake as it is a great facility, a wonderful design and it would be great to build on that success.”
Halbeath is managed and maintained by Fife Council and, through a partnership agreement, staffed by Stagecoach.
Stagecoach East Scotland managing director Andrew Jarvis said: “The number of people using Halbeath Park and Ride so far has been positive and has assisted with capacity issues we had at Ferrytoll last year, but there is still plenty of opportunity to encourage people to leave the car at home.”