COMPLAINTS about the standard of service being offered to East Lothian’s rail commuters have been passed on to the Transport Minister.

Problems on the Edinburgh to North Berwick line have consistently been flagged up in recent years, with some peak-time services so busy that passengers are left on the platform, unable to board.

Now, with East Lothian’s population continuing to increase, Iain Gray, East Lothian MSP, as well as Tom Thorburn and Barrie Forrest, from the Rail Action Group East of Scotland (RAGES), have met with Michael Matheson MSP to highlight the continuing problems with trains in the county.

Mr Gray told Mr Matheson of constituent complaints about a range of problems, including cancelled and overcrowded trains, passengers left on the platform, and ticket machines not working.

The Labour politician told the Courier: “This meeting was arranged some time ago, primarily to discuss progress on East Linton station.

“However, with no let-up in the difficulties experienced by my constituents on services on the North Berwick line, I had promised many I would raise their problems directly with Mr Matheson and I did exactly that.

“The various problems, including cancelled, delayed and overcrowded services, have been regular occurrences for county commuters throughout Abellio’s tenure as ScotRail franchisee, especially on the North Berwick line, but recently they have been happening literally every day.

“Mr Matheson acknowledged and agreed that the service has been unacceptable. However, he did also go through the usual list of excuses which many commuters are familiar with from their complaints to ScotRail, i.e. late delivery of new trains, crew shortages, and problems with training for new trains.”