SHOCKING figures have revealed that rail commuters in Inverkeithing were faced with more than 1,000 cancelled trains due to “train crew shortages” in just under two years.

The data from Network Rail requested by the Scottish Conservatives shows that between October 20, 2017, to September 28, 2019, there were a total of 1,010 cancellations from trains due to stop at Inverkeithing.

Murdo Fraser MSP described the statistics as “shocking” and called for action to be taken by the Scottish Government.

The number of cancelled trains at Inverkeithing reached double figures on some days. A total of 30 services were cancelled on April 9 this year and just a few days later, 28 were called off on April 16.

Meanwhile, four consecutive days in May 2019 saw 10 trains cancelled.

Cancelled trains is just one of the many problems the Press’ Crush Hour campaign has highlighted since November 2017 as well as delayed services, constant overcrowding and station skipping.

Last week, the Scottish Government announced that the franchise operated by Abellio would be ended early.

It will end in 2022 because ministers said they could not justify giving additional subsidy beyond that time.

Mr Fraser has also previously raised the issue of problems suffered by rail commuters on the Fife Circle line at Holyrood.

A staggering 110 peak-time journeys on it were cancelled between April and September 2018.

Mr Fraser said: “Fife commuters have had to endure cancellations, delays and overcrowded trains and some trains skipping stations for too long.

“To have more than 1,000 cancellations on trains that were due to stop at Inverkeithing rail station in just under two years due to ‘train crew shortages’ is shocking and really not good enough.

“I have previously asked the Transport Minister, Michael Matheson, to address concerns of Fife rail commuters and recently ScotRail announced that they will supply more carriages on busy commuter lines in Fife.

“This is obviously very welcome as Fife rail passengers have suffered a poor service over the past few years and I feel it is a move that is long overdue.

“There should never be 1,010 cancellations due to ‘train crew shortages’ in this day and age.

“Rail passengers in Inverkeithing deserve a lot better.”

ScotRail rolled out its new timetable on December 15. The rail company promised 10,000 added extra seats for passengers each day as part of a £475 million investment in new and upgraded trains.

ScotRail says significant disruption was caused by late delivery of new trains by Hitachi and Wabtec and industrial action by the RMT.

A ScotRail spokesperson said: “There’s no denying that Scotland’s railway went through some challenging times in recent years but the latest figures are more encouraging and show we delivered the best Autumn performance in five years.

“More trains are arriving on time than ever before, and this shows the impact of the unprecedented investment in Scotland’s railway to give customers the service they expect and deserve.”