MSP slams reduced Sunday train timetable service to Largs

Last Sunday, the reduced service was heavily criticised, with the last train leaving Largs at 4.54pm.

And it is another reduced timetable this Sunday, with trains running every two hours, with the last train leaving Largs for Glasgow Central at 6.54pm this weekend.

If you're travelling by train on August 4 then the following services will run to/from Largs:  To Glasgow: 8.54am, 10.54am 12.54pm, 2.54pm, 4.54 pm and 6.54pm. To Largs: 9.40am, 11.40am, 1.40pm, 3.40pm, 5.40pm and 7.40pm.

Ms Clark has written to Scottish Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop, over the matter.

In her letter, Ms Clark wrote: "I am writing to express concern about temporary changes to the ScotRail timetable in regards to the Largs-Glasgow route.

"Whilst I recognise that the timetable is a result of the ongoing impact of fewer train drivers than normal currently being available due to industrial action by the train drivers’ union ASLEF – which I would strongly urge you to intervene in and resolve – I believe the impact on the communities of Largs, Cumbrae and surrounding areas has been particularly egregious.

"Under the new timetable by ScotRail, trains will only run once every two hours between Largs and Glasgow on Sundays.

"On the same day, trains to comparably sized towns Kilwinning and Ardrossan will be running every half hour and every hour respectively.

"It has long been the case that Largs, Fairlie and West Kilbride already lag behind many other communities in West of Scotland when it comes to rail services.

"Last year, Largs was among the stations to suffer most from ScotRail’s sweeping timetable changes, losing its daily 7.42am slot, which was so useful for those commuting to work as well as school children travelling to school.

The last train leaving Largs on Sunday is 6.54pm (Image: ScotRail)

"For a more recent example, passengers to Largs have been required to change at Kilwinning in both directions in recent weeks to accommodate extra services to and from Troon for the Open golf championship.

"Having met with community councillors in the area and having heard from a great many constituents over many years, I know that there has long been a strong level of feeling about the poor rail services in the area. Residents are rightly furious.

"This has come without any meaningful consultation and is being imposed during the middle of peak season, and feel they are now being treated with contempt.

"The repeated cuts to rail services across Scotland are bad for communities, bad for long term patronage, bad for tourism and detrimental to the Scottish Government’s efforts to ensure a modal shift from car to train.

"Communities reliant upon the Largs-Glasgow service are suffering from these cuts more than most. I would therefore strongly urge you to engage with ScotRail with a view to reversing these changes."

MSP Katy Clark says the Largs area is being heavily impacted by another reduced timetable this Sunday (Image: Newsquest)

Speaking to the News, Ms Clark said: “This is just the latest kick in the teeth for residents in Largs and the surrounding areas, who already have to deal with some of the worst rail services in the west of Scotland.

"The Scottish Government needs to intervene and meet with ScotRail to address not only this latest timetable cut but the longstanding decisions made regarding the Largs-Glasgow route.”

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “While pay negotiations are for ScotRail, as the employer, and the unions concerned, we acknowledge the desire of rail unions to negotiate a fair settlement for their members.

"The rail unions return to the negotiating table is welcome and we would encourage all parties to engage in meaningful dialogue so that a mutually agreeable outcome can be reached as soon as possible.

“Train planning and staff rotas are operational matters for ScotRail. However, we fully expect any timetable to give the best reliability and availability for passengers and that changes are communicated well in advance to enable effective journey planning.

“Although the Scottish Government is not at the negotiating table, Ministers are being kept informed of progress.”

Mark Ilderton, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, said:  “We are sorry to customers who are experiencing disruption to services. Customers can stay up to date with the latest travel information via our ScotRail app and website. 

  “We want to resolve the pay dispute with the trade unions and remain fully committed to further discussions.”