South Scotland MSP and Scottish Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy & Transport & Rural Affairs Colin Smyth has hit out at ScotRail plans to cut ticket office hours.

ScotRail has said the proposed changes would impact 120 stations, these include Ayr Station which would see closing times change from 23.15 (Mon-Sat) to 20.30 (Mon-Sat) and from 23.05 on Sundays to 20.00; Kilmarnock would see closing times change from 23.35 (Mon-Fri) to 17.30 (Mon-Thur), 19.00 on Friday and 18.15 Saturdays.

In Dumfries and Galloway, according to the ScotRail consultation document, Lockerbie Station would change from opening 7.30-2045 (Mon-Sat) to 7.00-20.20 (Mon-Sat) and from 14.50-22.20 (Sun) to 10.10-17.50 (Sun). However, prior to the pandemic the station opened at 6.45 to serve commuters catching trains that leave the station just after 7 am.

In Stranraer, the station ticket office hours would change from 9.30-1900 (Mon-Sun) to 10.00-11.30 (Mon-Thur), 10.00-15.00 (Fri), 10.00-11.45 (Sat) and 9.30-11.15 on Sundays.

ScotRail said: “It is important to note that the data used for the review was from 2019 and represents a period not impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated fall in customer numbers.”

Colin Smyth said: “Once again rail passengers are being left with a second-rate service.

“Routes are being slashed, fares are being hiked and now ticket desks are being shut.

“Whatever ScotRail might say, these cuts will hit passengers, threaten jobs and undermine station safety.

“We won’t get people back on trains by cutting rail services to the bone.

“It is now a matter of months until ScotRail comes into public hands – and the SNP-Green government are laying the groundwork by nodding through one round of cuts after another.

“We cannot miss this opportunity to build a truly world-class rail service which puts passengers first and helps tackle the climate emergency.”

A period of 21 days consultation will be undertaken from Wednesday, 12 January, and feedback can be given by either writing to Transport Focus Freepost (RTEH-XAGE-BYKZ), PO Box 5594, Southend on Sea, SS1 9PZ or by email to schedule17.sr@transportfocus.org.uk.