CRAIG Hoy, a Conservative MSP for South Scotland, has slammed Scotrail for indefinitely cancelling 30 of its rail services from Edinburgh to Newtongrange and Gorebridge.
From Monday 23 May, the rail operator will introduce a temporary timetable leaving residents of Newtongrange and Gorebridge with significantly reduced Scotrail services to Edinburgh.
The new timetable will reduce the number of services operating between Edinburgh and Newtongrange and Gorebridge from 63 a day down to 30 a day.
Hoy has said there are significant concerns in the community about the timetable changes, which will leave Scotrail season ticket holders from Midlothian with difficulties getting into work.
Scotrail was acquired by the Scottish Government last month.
In response to the service cuts, Hoy is looking to raise the issue in Parliament and has written to the Chief Executive of Scotrail and Scottish Transport Minister calling for clarity on the situation and a restoration of regular services.
Mr Hoy commented: “Midlothian rail services have already been decimated by Scotrail and the Scottish government.
“And now frequent rail travellers and season ticket holders have been left high-and-dry by this decision, and many are being forced to resort back to taking the car to get into work.
“The Scottish Government have committed themselves to achieving net-zero by 2045, but just 1 month into owning Scotrail we are already seeing indefinite service cuts with no indication of when trains will be restored.
“This will cause untold misery to commuters who are only just getting back to work.
“And this is at a time where Midlothian is Scotland’s fastest growing area and demand for rail services is on the rise.
“I find this simply unacceptable, and I have raised concerns with Scotrail and the Transport Minister for the urgent restoration of regular services and the possibility of expanding Scotrail services in Midlothian.”
Scotrail have said that the temporary timetable changes are due to a significant number of drivers declining to make themselves available for overtime or rest day working following a ballot for industrial action over pay announced by union ASLEF.
They have said that they will update customers over the coming days.
