Greens pledge new rail lines across Scotland
The Scottish Greens will deliver new rail lines and stations across Scotland as part of their plans to make trains the first and best choice for long journeys.
The party will begin work to open new lines from Dumfries to Stranraer, Alloa to Dunfermline, Tweedbank to Carlisle via Hawick and Aberdeen to Peterhead and Fraserburgh.
This would come alongside new stations on the existing rail network, including in Newburgh, Tomatin and Halbeath.
The bold and ambitious infrastructure plan will be a huge boost to commuters across rural Scotland, allowing more people to take advantage of the scrapping of peak rail fares, previously delivered by the Scottish Greens.
The party has already pledged to introduce a ‘tap-on, tap-off’ Scotcard. This would allow travellers to switch between rail, bus, ferry and other transport options with only one ticket.
Co-leader Ross Greer said:
“The Scottish Greens have already made train travel far cheaper by scrapping peak rail fares. Now we will give more communities the option of getting a train with a major expansion of rail lines and stations.
“Our rail network still bears the scars of decades of closures, with abandoned stations and lines sitting unused across the country.
“This means that far too many people are cut off entirely from Scotland’s railways, and with rural bus services often far too sporadic and expensive, many people have no option but to take the car every day when they would rather use public transport.
“Rail could be the first and best choice for many more commuters, but it will need a government with the vision to deliver it.
“Our Scottish Green plans will ensure that people all over the country have more choice and more opportunities. New rail lines and stations would provide a huge economic boost for our towns and villages.
“The Scottish Greens want to build a better connected Scotland – one where every community has access to affordable, accessible and reliable public transport.”
