PROPOSALS to cut ‘fast’ train services between Gourock and Glasgow will be a ‘hammer blow’ to Inverclyde commuters, according to a Labour MSP.

The Telegraph revealed last week how ScotRail was planning to axe nine off-peak limited-stop services from the local line as part of a timetable shake-up planned for next month.

Neil Bibby has today called on the Scottish Government to demand that the firm reverse its plans, and he criticised ministers for their record on rail transport.

ScotRail says it has faced problems with its driver training programme due to the Covid-19 pandemic and it claims that the changes are an interim measure to help ensure a more reliable service for customers.

But Mr Bibby told the Telegraph that he hoped new transport minister Kevin Stewart would oppose the plans.

He said: “These proposals are a hammer-blow for long-suffering commuters and passengers across Inverclyde.

“People rely on these fast train services and I’m not surprised to see the dismayed reaction of local people that the Tele has reported.

 “Under this SNP/Green government, there are still one in 10 fewer trains compared to pre-pandemic levels.

“This is despite the Scottish Government’s climate commitments, and its proclaimed desire to get people back on the railways.

“Neither of these will happen without regular, accessible and convenient rail services. 

 “Cutting these services is therefore a significant backwards step. 

 “We now have a new minister for transport - I hope he will demonstrate a fresh approach by calling a halt to these proposals.”

In response to Mr Bibby’s calls, Mr Stewart said: “Our aim for a publicly owned ScotRail is to operate it in the interests of passengers and staff in a way that encourages increased rail use.

“To help achieve this, the timetable must be flexible enough to meet demand while offering reliability.

“We understand it can be disappointing when service patterns change however ScotRail fully appreciates the need to progress its driver recruitment and training so that this interim measure can be reconsidered in the future.

“I fully expect ScotRail to engage with local communities on further timetable changes.”

ScotRail believes reducing the fast train services will reduce the number of cancellations due to the shortage of drivers.

Its current timetable between Glasgow and Inverclyde provides two stopping services per hour and a fast/limited stop service between Glasgow and Wemyss Bay, with the number of trains increasing during peak periods.

Outwith these peak periods the operator currently runs nine limited stop services, known locally as 'fast trains', which stop at a select number of stations and are now facing being scrapped.

These trains currently stop at Glasgow Central, Paisley Gilmour Street, Bishopton, Port Glasgow, Greenock Central, Greenock West, Fort Matilda and Gourock.

If Scotrail bosses push ahead with the new timetable, the 0925, 0955, 1154 and 1355 from Glasgow to Gourock and the 0954, 1054, 1254, 1454 and 1524 from Gourock for Glasgow will be discontinued for the foreseeable future.

Scott Prentice, ScotRail head of business development, added: “The changes we’re making to our timetable in Inverclyde in May are an interim measure while we continue to recover from the impact the pandemic had on our driver training programme.

“Our priority is to provide communities served by Gourock to Glasgow trains with a reliable half hourly daytime service, which has additional fast services at peak times.

“We apologise to those customers who will be inconvenienced by this change and look forward to hearing their views on our future plans when we share them in the coming months.”