RAIL bosses are hatching plans to offer half-hourly trains along the Gourock and Wemyss Bay lines from the middle of next year according to the area’s MSP.

Stuart McMillan recently met with ScotRail bosses to raise concerns about their plans to axe nine ‘fast’ train services between Gourock and Glasgow.

The SNP politician says that during the meeting rail bosses outlined a long-term vision of running half-hourly trains across the two Inverclyde lines from June 2024.

READ MORE: Scotrail to axe 'fast' train services between Gourock and Glasgow

The local representative has welcomed the plans to improve services along the line, while also urging ScotRail to ensure that the public have their say on the fast train changes.

Greenock Telegraph:

He said: “For several years now, I’ve been calling for an additional service on the Wemyss Bay line.

“This is now being suggested but without a full consultation the public will not be able to have their say on what this looks like. 

“Limited stop services during peak times will also be better timetabled so that they provide an improved service to commuters and are spaced out in a way that ensures train services are more regular, rather than what currently happens at certain points during the day where there are several services closely timetabled together and then a longer gap until the next service."

The MSP added that the rail operator were planning to implement a half-hourly service on Sundays and in the evenings along the Gourock line from December 2023.

He told the Tele: “I was also told during the meeting that Inverclyde is not the only area impacted by timetable reductions to assist the driving training efforts – with the Ayrshire line, Cathcart Circle and Glasgow to Edinburgh via Shotts also impacted by timetable reductions.

 “Regardless, I do worry that this change, albeit temporary, will only make our roads more congested.

“I just hope that commuters consider using bus services to get to Glasgow rather than getting in their cars as it’s better for the environment and the more people on buses means less cars sat in potential traffic.

 “I would also encourage commuters to contact ScotRail’s customer services to give feedback on these temporary timetable changes, so they understand their impact.

“When the additional services are introduced from December 2023 and then June 2024, I’d also encourage commuters to give their feedback, so it truly does deliver a rail service that commuters want.”

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Councillor Christopher Curley, environment and regeneration spokesperson for Inverclyde’s SNP council group, added: “Whilst I welcome the suggested increase in train numbers to Wemyss Bay, especially given the proposed housing along this railway line, we need to ensure that this is not at the detriment of the passengers using the Gourock line.

“Further assessment needs to be undertaken on this proposal to ensure that it is not a case of ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’, especially given the fact that currently 75 per cent of passengers are on the Gourock Line and 25 per cent are on the Wemyss Bay line.

“We need a rail service that fulfils our need as a community and does not become another impediment to growth in Inverclyde.”