'Not the end of the line' says Easter Ross MP Jamie Stone as ScotRail restores summer timetable
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Jamie Stone, the MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, has today welcomed news that ScotRail is set to restore its full summer timetable from tomorrow (July 20).
The LibDem MP has been lobbying the Scottish Government and ScotRail to prioritise lifeline rail services in the Highlands since the temporary timetable came into effect in May.
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During the strikes, he highlighted the disproportionate cuts that rural Highland services had been subject to in comparison to other parts of Scotland, and told Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth that many people in Caithness and Sutherland rely on the Far North line to reach medical appointments in Inverness.
Stone said:“The restoration of the full ScotRail timetable comes not a moment too soon for my constituents across Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross.
"Existing transport challenges have been made even worse these past few months. I salute the resilience and determination of our Highland communities, which have dealt with the travel chaos admirably.
“Today also serves as a reminder of the many more improvements we need to see on our Highland railways to make sure we have a public transport system fit for the 21st century. Restoring the timetable is a positive step – but it cannot be the end of the line.”
