Better Moray rail links are ‘vital’ as Lochhead urges ScotRail to provide more direct links to central belt

More rail links from Moray are urgently needed, a local MSP has demanded.

Moray’s SNP MSP Richard Lochhead has called for more direct rail services between the region and the central belt.

Currently there is one direct train from Elgin to Edinburgh which runs Monday to Saturday, one direct service from Glasgow to Elgin running Monday to Saturday, and two direct trains from Glasgow to Elgin on a Sunday.

Mr Lochhead has written to ScotRail’s Managing Director, Joanne Maguire, urging the rail operator to look at how more direct services connecting Elgin, Keith and Forres stations and the central belt could be introduced.

Moray’s MSP has highlighted the need to reduce journey times, and to improve accessibility and reliability of services for local passengers.

Mr Lochhead said: “If we’re to encourage people to leave their cars at home and to travel by public transport, then it is vital our rail operator can offer services that meets people’s needs.

“That means work needs to be done to introduce more direct services between Moray and the central belt, as well as looking at how journey times can be reduced and ensuring there are sufficient carriages to meet demand. As things stand many people will simply choose to jump in the car to avoid stressful connections and because the journey is a much quicker one.

“However, I’ve no doubt that many more people in Moray would opt to travel by train if more direct services were available, and they had confidence that the service on offer was both accessible and reliable.

“I’m urging ScotRail to look at whether there might be an opportunity for more direct connections between Moray and the central belt to be introduced.”