Question reference: S6W-06754
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 24 February 2022
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Current status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 10 March 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government when Ministers last discussed increasing rail services from Lockerbie railway station with train operators.
Answer
Lockerbie railway station is serviced by Avanti West Coast and Transpennine Express, known as cross-border rail operators. These operators are managed by the Department for Transport.
Transport Scotland officials have frequent meetings with all cross-border rail operators to discuss Covid related issues and service delivery. We are aware of the issues that Transpennine Express face in delivering a reliable service at Lockerbie due to Covid and industrial action but continue to press for improvements to performance.
We welcome their intention to increase services in May 2022 and the arrangement reached by Transpennine Express for Avanti West Coast to make special stops, where possible, at Lockerbie in the event that Transpennine Express is unable to call.