MSP helps get new rail service on track

Published on 11/12/2006 12:58

A NEW rail service for commuters travelling into Edinburgh from East Lothian was flagged off from Dunbar today by local MSP John Home Robertson.

The 6.29am Virgin Voyager train to the Capital has been introduced to meet a demand for an earlier arrival. It will run daily, Monday to Friday, and is timetabled to arrive in Edinburgh at 6.56am before continuing to Manchester via Carlisle.

It also offers connections into First ScotRail trains from Edinburgh, including at 7.15am for commuters travelling to Glasgow.

Transport Scotland is funding the new service for a 12-month trial, together with a later Fridays-only return train leaving Edinburgh at 10.54pm for Dunbar.

Mr Home Robertson, who campaigned along with East Lothian Council and local rail activists for improvements to Dunbar rail services, encouraged local people to make good use of the early morning train. He said: "If this new service is a success, then it will help to justify further service improvements to meet the needs of a growing Dunbar population."