Nanette Milne, Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East has called on the SNP Scottish Government to seek a guarantee from the new ScotRail Franchisee that the commitment to deliver improvements to journey times and investment in North East rail network will be achieved.
Nanette Milne, Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East said:
“Following the announcement that the Dutch rail operator Abellio has won the £2.5bn franchise to run services for 10 years, Scottish Conservatives have called for a guarantee to achieve improvements to journey times between Aberdeen and the central belt and for the Scottish Government to outline a timetable for the electrification of the line as well as investment in trains and stations.
“Under the SNP North East rail commuters have seen no significant investment to the rail network between Aberdeen and the central belt. I welcome development such as the proposed re-opening of Kintore Station, something for which I have campaigned over a number of years. However, we need to see a real focus on addressing the many issues facing the rail service as well as the rail infrastructure which connects Aberdeen and Dundee to Scotland’s other cities.
“I will be seeking a meeting with the new ScotRail Franchisee, Abellio, to discuss what plans they have to improve local rail services and to seek an assurance that the commitment to deliver journey time reductions to the central belt will be achieved.”