RAIL users faced more early-morning chaos today as ScotRail’s train service from North Berwick to Edinburgh again ran with half the normal carriages.

The 7.53am train from North Berwick to Edinburgh Waverley is regularly busy with commuters and, as a result, usually runs with six carriages.

However, rail users have been complaining of a reduced number of carriages in recent weeks resulting in overcrowding and, at times, some passengers being unable to board the train.

READ MORE: ScotRail sorry as East Lothian commuters left on platform this morning

Following disruption yesterday which saw only three carriages running on the service, ScotRail told the Courier that the reduction was due to a train fault.

However, passengers have complained about the service running with only three carriages again today, resulting in a number of passengers being unable to get on the train at Musselburgh.

Gregor Millar travels to work in Edinburgh from Prestonpans. He told the Courier that overcrowding on the train was becoming a regular occurrence.

He said: “There were reduced carriages during the storm a couple of weeks ago, but that was more understandable.

“But the last few days it has been bad. It was four carriages on Thursday and then three yesterday and today.

“It’s uncomfortable, you have to stand and it becomes hard to hold onto anything.

“When I get on at Prestonpans you have to stand, when it gets to Wallyford people are just squeezing on, and at Musselburgh people can’t get on.”

Mr Millar said he had also heard that someone had fainted on the train yesterday but that he had not witnessed the incident.

Another rail passenger contacted the Courier this morning after being stranded at Musselburgh this morning due to the train being too full for them to board.

They said: “I was one of dozens of people this morning who were stranded on the platform of the 8.20am train from Musselburgh to Edinburgh Waverley. We all had to walk or cycle away, as the next train is at 9.11am.

“Given this is rush hour on one of the main commuter links of the Lothians, it is unacceptable to have one one train operating between 8am and 9am in the morning.

“It is also unacceptable that there is no provision to secure the allocated spaces for cyclists and disabled people. The trains are inaccessible to people with disabilities at rush hour.

“A lot of train users who travelled to the station with the car were forced to drive into town instead. Surely car drivers should be enabled to leave their cars outside of the city centre and help make our cities greener.

“I am aware the situation with the trains has been like this for a while but it is going in the wrong direction instead of improving.”

A ScotRail spokesperson told the Courier that today's issue was due to strikes from Hitachi Rail which provides the rail maintenance on many routes including the North Berwick to Edinburgh Waverly line.

The spokesperson said that continued strike action could lead to more delays and that the shortage of carriages was to allow carriages to be used elsewhere and prevent services being cancelled.

Phil Campbell, ScotRail customer operations director, said: “Unfortunately, the 07.53 North Berwick to Edinburgh service operated with fewer carriages than planned today.

“We know that one of the biggest concerns for our customers is busy trains, and we are sorry to anyone who experienced overcrowding or disruption on their journey.

“ScotRail is doing everything possible to ensure we provide as many seats as possible for customers, and improve their experience of travelling with us.”