Train operators have been accused of treating rail passengers with disdain after commuters were left stranded in Lockerbie due to last minute cancellations.
TransPennine Express bosses blamed the blunders on a “shortage of available staff” due to Covid and seasonal sickness.
But South Scotland MSP and Scottish Labour’s Transport spokesman Colin Smyth, who was one of the travellers affected last week, said: “It seems it’s back to business as usual for TransPennine Express when it comes to treating Lockerbie passengers as second class.”
He received “numerous complaints” from other passengers affected by the shambolic service.
Mr Smyth said: “People get the fact there are challenges over staff shortages just now but there is real anger that the cancellations often happen at the last minute when the train arrives in Preston or Carlisle and doesn’t get to Lockerbie.
“Rail bosses need to understand that the service is so infrequent at Lockerbie that when they cancel a train, people have to wait hours for another or cancel their trip.
“When I raise concerns from passengers with UK Government Ministers who are responsible for the cross border services through Lockerbie they are utterly disinterested.”
Mr Smyth wants a meeting with rail firms to discuss how to reduce cancellations.
And if services are axed he urged them to put in place contingency plans.
He said: “More trains pass through Lockerbie station that don’t stop than actually do stop.
“We need train operators to work together so that if one has to cancel a service, the other can arrange an impromptu stop for one of their services that’s passing through Lockerbie to pick up stranded passengers.
“It’s not rocket science but it just needs the will from rail firms, which is all too often lacking. Ultimately we also need more frequent services.”
Furious passengers also complained to Dumfriesshire constituency MSP Oliver Mundell about the service.
He said: “There has been a long history of issues with this franchise, both cancelled services and reports of overcrowding where passengers are left standing with their luggage on long journeys.
“Despite many assurances from TransPennine - and public meetings - I’m disappointed there appears little evidence so far of meaningful progress.
“Users of Lockerbie Station, the only direct access point to the main West Coast line in the region, deserve much better and I’m awaiting a full explanation from the operator.”
Both Mr Mundell and his father, local MP David Mundell, have previously highlighted increasing demand for train services from Lockerbie.
Mr Mundell snr said: “I will be looking for clear evidence that services are going to improve and that, when things do go wrong, more effort will be made to warn travellers in good time.”
TransPennine Express has been the subject of numerous complaints about the “shambolic service” at Lockerbie station over the last three years.
A spokesperson for the company said: “We continue to feel the ongoing impact of Covid-19 and the Omicron variant along with seasonal sickness, resulting in a shortage of available staff.
“In response to this, we have introduced an amended timetable designed to provide a more reliable service for customers.
“Sadly, as sickness levels fluctuate and we feel the impact of some industrial relations issues, it has been necessary to cancel some services, with the situation changing on a day-to-day basis.
“Anyone inconvenienced by disruption may be eligible for compensation or a refund. More information can be found at via our website at tpexpress.co.uk/help.”
