ScotRail has confirmed plans to offer customers in Stranraer special train deals – but only when a full timetable is operational.
Local constituency MSP Finlay Carson and his Scottish Conservative colleague Sharon Dowey MSP have been pressing the national rail operator to reward commuters for their patience after a seven-month gap in services.
Now ScotRail has revealed it will introduce a “welcome back” offer for customers travelling to and from Stranraer.
Welcoming the news, the Galloway and West Dumfries MSP said it was unfortunate the plan will not be forthcoming just yet.
He said: “I am delighted that ScotRail has seen sense and will offer customers special fares as I think it is only right as they have waited patiently for some time now to see rail services returned.
“I wrote to the rail operator as well as the First Minister John Swinney pressing them to do something for the rail commuters who have been affected by the arson attack at Ayr Station Hotel last year.
“It is just unfortunate that it may take a little longer as a result of a temporary timetable being introduced last month as a direct result of industrial action by the drivers.”
In a letter sent to Mr Carson, ScotRail said: “Please be assured that we will be running an offer for Stranraer customers, our retail and marketing teams have been working on the details.
“The offer was originally going to be introduced when the full Stranraer timetable was operational in July but, as you will know, we introduced a temporary timetable on Wednesday, 10 July which, unfortunately, means that we haven’t been able to implement the full Stranraer timetable.
“Unfortunately, with the temporary timetable being linked to the current shortage of train drivers we are experiencing as a result of fewer drivers than normal being available for overtime or rest day working, as is their contractual right as a result of a dispute over pay, we are unable to confirm when our full timetable will be reintroduced.
ScotRail confirmed that it was working to resolve this pay dispute as soon as possible.
The spokesperson continued: “We want to ensure that customers in Stranraer have the greatest opportunity to take advantage of the offer so it will go live as soon as the full timetable is reintroduced.”
