'HOW we get from A to B is an item often at the top of a government’s agenda. Making sure public transport journeys are fast, frequent and environmentally friendly is of increasing importance. But, matching physical infrastructure to what the public need and want will always be a challenge.

In Fife, bus users breathed a sigh of relief following Stagecoach’s decision not to pull the plug on routes in the region. On the chopping block were changes to 26 services including controversial decisions to scrap Auchtertool’s only bus and remove lifeline services to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. Thankfully these services have been spared and Stagecoach has listened to the views of residents and bus users. For small towns across Fife, bus services are a vital link that connect families, friends and commuters.

Stagecoach will no doubt revisit their bus scheduling, particularly in relation to infrequently used services. But I would advise against cutting poorly-used routes unless they become completely unviable. Dropping routes or reducing services is a vicious circle.

Reducing the frequency of bus services ultimately results in less use as residents chose other, more convenient, modes of transport. If we are to encourage people away from using cars and onto public transport then services will need to compete for both convenience and cost.

I was therefore delighted to view plans from rail action group RailFuture Scotland who have released proposals for new links and stations in Fife. Railfuture Scotland’s proposals include added links between Alloa and Dunfermline, Perth and Cowdenbeath, as well as branch lines to Levenmouth and St Andrews.

Re-opened lines would enable new services such as Levenmouth to Edinburgh via both Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy, and St Andrews to Glasgow via Dunfermline, Alloa and Stirling. There are also proposals for several new stations on the existing network at Halbeath, Dysart and Newburgh. Ensuring these plans become a reality will be expensive and challenging but there is no denying the significant level of public support for this. As a result I have called on the Scottish Government to commission a feasibility study to help inform policy makers.

Faster and more frequent journeys have the potential to drive up economic growth and breathe life into Fife while reducing carbon emissions at the same time. We are in a hyper-connected age where messages are sent and received in an instant. It is high-time infrastructure and rail travel joined the party and The Scottish Government must use their foresight to create transport policy that is able to meet the challenges of the future which include a growing Fife population.

As ever I welcome the feedback of constituents and can be contacted at the Control Tower, Perth Airport, Scone, Perth PH2 6PL, Tel: 01738 553 990 or e-mail at Elizabeth.Smith.msp@parliament.scot'