[Scottish Parliament, 25.11.2024] Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has criticised ScotRail’s proposals to reduce ticket office hours at stations across the region, calling the cuts a blow to rural communities.
Dingwall will lose over 29 hours of opening time weekly, Kingussie losing more than 27 hours, with many more communities also impacted.
Mr Halcro Johnston said:
“These cuts by Scottish Government-owned ScotRail will only make travel harder, with more challenges for some of the more vulnerable members of our society.
“There is the risk of reduced assistance for disabled and older passengers when offices are closed, as well as that lack of reassurance that someone is there to help them when needed.
“Closing ticket offices early could also make travel feel less safe for women and children who are travelling on their own, particularly in the winter months when it is darker for longer and weather conditions are worse.
“SNP ministers promised better rail services when they took over ScotRail, but instead we’ve seen increased disruption to the network, local services suspended, and now these cuts to local station opening times.
“ScotRail’s plans risk isolating rural communities, undermining accessibility, and threatening local jobs. This is another example of the increasing failure of the Scottish Government and their agencies to deliver for rural Scotland”.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
More information about ScotRail’s proposals can be found here.
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