Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
East Lothian rail services are set for a significant boost, Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson revealed today.
New services between Edinburgh and Dunbar will be introduced from the commencement of the winter timetable next year and a study undertaken looking into a new hourly service from Dunbar.
From December 2010, ScotRail will assume control of the 06.30 Dunbar to Edinburgh Monday to Friday commuter service, and the 22.50 Edinburgh to Dunbar Friday service. A new late evening Edinburgh to Dunbar service on Monday to Thursday is also set to be introduced, subject to necessary industry timetabling processes.
The new services will be introduced to the ScotRail timetable as part of the deal to extend the ScotRail franchise with First Group, which was signed in April 2008.
Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said:
"These new services will mean even more people will have the opportunity to make the switch to public transport.
“We are working hard to ensure communities along the east coast and across Scotland can benefit from access to the rail network and are investing significantly in extending services – both in terms of expanding infrastructure and plugging gaps in the timetable.
“We are determined to identify what further improvements can be provided, and have secured the option to enable ScotRail to operate these additional services during the week.
“A study into the benefits of an hourly Dunbar to Edinburgh service will be undertaken with ScotRail in the near future, which will also consider the needs of the Edinburgh to Berwick-Upon-Tweed corridor more generally.”
The feasibility study will also consider services from Edinburgh to Newcastle, Edinburgh to Berwick and the possibility of new stations at East Linton and Reston.
The study is expected to take no more than a year to complete.
Karen Adam is now the MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast
