THE problems on Scotland’s rail network have dominated the headlines in recent weeks. This will come as no surprise to users of the North Berwick line, who I know experience overcrowding, delays and cancellations on a daily basis.

I have been campaigning on this issue for a long time, urging ScotRail and SNP Ministers to take action to address the service failures faced by passengers here.

Last week, Rail Minister Humza Yousaf made a statement to Parliament about the growing rail crisis. I was eager to hear what he had to say, hoping that he would announce something to improve services in East Lothian. Unfortunately, while he announced plans for tackling overcrowding on the Borders Railway, he did not even mention East Lothian.

This is a continuation of the approach to our county, which always sees East Lothian at the back of the queue when it comes to investment.

Under the SNP, regulated rail fares, which include all season tickets and most types of single and return tickets, are due to rise by up to 1.9 per cent from January. Given the ongoing misery faced by rail passengers across the country, Scottish Labour is calling for a fare freeze for 2017. This would give loyal passengers a well-deserved break and save them money next year.

We believe the fare freeze would cost between £1.9 and £2.2 million. With Dutch-owned Abellio making profits of £1 million a month in Scotland, we think the fare freeze can be done without damaging rail investment.

So Labour stand unequivocally on the side of hard-pressed commuters, backing a fare freeze. Now the ball is in the Scottish government’s court. Following Labour pressure, Nicola Sturgeon has said she will consider freezing fares.

Even if the SNP does back Labour’s plan, I will not be letting up on my campaign to secure the service improvements needed on the North Berwick line, starting with longer trains.