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ScotRail denies number of carriages in Fife have been cut since Borders railway opening

MSP Claire Baker says she has received a number of complaints from rail commuters in Fife.
MSP Claire Baker says she has received a number of complaints from rail commuters in Fife.

ScotRail has denied Fife train travellers have endured cuts to carriages since the opening of the Borders railway.

Despite claims by angry commuters that they have been packed onto smaller trains in the morning, the rail company says it has actually increased the number of carriages on the Fife circle route.

Travellers have been complaining that trains to Edinburgh have been turning up in the morning with half the number of carriages they previously had to ensure there is enough stock for the new Borders route.

Some services which previously had six carriages now regularly have three, and sometimes just two, they said.

This has resulted in overcrowded trains and passengers forced to stand in the aisles.

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Claire Baker has now written to Abellio ScotRail, which operates the route, to clarify the situation.

Mrs Baker raised fears before the Borders railway opened last month that it could result in a reduced service in Fife.

This followed a statement by transport minister Derek Mackay that the trains planned to be used on the Borders services also work across other routes, predominantly Fife.

The MSP told The Courier a number of people had complained to her about a reduced number of carriages and overcrowding.

“I had been given assurances this wouldn’t happen,” she said.

“I saw so many posts about it on social media that I asked anyone with concerns to get in touch with me and quite a lot did.”

She added: “The rail operator must know how many carriages there are and I will be asking them if they have a record of the trains going out.”

ScotRail said there were now more carriages in Fife than before and that the only disruption had been on Wednesday during a controlled explosion at the Forth Road Bridge.

In a statement, a spokesman said: “A slight adjustment of train plans since the opening of the Borders railway has delivered an increase in carriages for Fife customers in particular on weekdays and Saturdays.

“Unfortunately some Fife trains were disrupted or shortened this week to allow a controlled explosion to be carried out near North Queensferry.

“We are grateful to customers for their patience while trains and employees returned to their timetabled positions.”