Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
Speaking in a member’s debate entitled: Reinstatement of the Edinburgh South Suburban Railway, Mr Stevenson, who serves as the honorary president of the Scottish Association for Public Transport and the Honorary Vice-President of Railfuture UK said:
“It will be no surprise to members that I would always wish to engage in efforts to increase the availability and use of public transport.
“When I was Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change, I responded to Gavin Brown’s members’ business debate on the subject on 3 December 2008. At that time, I encouraged the City of Edinburgh Council to meet me as minister to discuss the issues around what were—and are—largely freight lines that were used less for passenger traffic. I do not recall that meeting happening, so I very much welcome hearing from Jim Eadie that the council is engaged on the issue”
“When I was Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change, I responded to Gavin Brown’s members’ business debate on the subject on 3 December 2008. At that time, I encouraged the City of Edinburgh Council to meet me as minister to discuss the issues around what were—and are—largely freight lines that were used less for passenger traffic. I do not recall that meeting happening, so I very much welcome hearing from Jim Eadie that the council is engaged on the issue”
Mr Stevenson went onto to say that although he supports exploring the viability of reopening the line for passenger use, he said he would also be looking for support for improvement in his own constituency, he said:
“I cannot talk about railways in Edinburgh without making the point that none of the communities in my constituency is anything less than a 1.5 hour bus ride from a railhead. My support for the proposal is entirely conditional on our also thinking about the Buchan rail link.”
