Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife has welcomed the publication of Transport Scotland’s Transport and Travel in Scotland Report 2012. The report compiled for Transport Scotland by the Scottish Household Survey has reported that more people are using trains in Scotland. ScotRail patronage increased by 2.7 per cent (to 83.3 million) in 2012/13 – the highest level recorded and an increase of 45% since 2003/04. Twenty-eight per cent of respondents to the SHS used the train in the last month, up from 26 per cent in 2011 and an increase from 15 per cent in 2002 Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife said: “I very much welcome the publication of Transport Scotland’s Transport and Travel in Scotland Report 2012 which has shown a 2.7 per cent increase in the use of rail in 2012 alone. “The report also highlights the year on year growth in rail use and the potential which the re-opening of a direct rail link between Perth and Edinburgh could have on passenger journeys between the north and the central belt. "The report also comes following the success of the re-opening of stations such as Laurencekirk Station in Aberdeenshire which has seen passenger numbers significantly out-perform the original passenger estimates. “The fact that we have seen passenger numbers using new stations out strip the estimates is a real boost to the campaign to re-open a direct rail link between Perth and Edinburgh and can only support the Scottish Conservative calls for the SNP Scottish Government to look again at a new feasibility study.“The reinstatement of a direct rail link would truly open up routes to the north from Edinburgh. It would bring a 35-minute reduction in the journey time from Edinburgh to Perth and Inverness; provide the opportunity to reduce journey times to Aberdeen; and allow the creation of new stations at key growth areas such as Kinross and Bridge of Earn. It would also allow the creation of a key hub on the inter-city network at Perth and make proper use of this iconic station.“The population in Perthshire & Kinross-shire and Fife has increased significantly in recent years and projections show the population is set to increase by approximately 27% in the period up to 2033. It is vital therefore that we secure investment in our transport infrastructure to meet the future needs of our communities for the 21st Century.”