ALLOA railway passengers have vented their frustrations to the local Green Party following what was branded a "prolonged period of exceptional disruption to services".

Unreliability and timetabling issues were recurring criticisms in a social media survey that drew more than 100 responses.

Highlighting some of the complaints, Clacks Greens highlighted the anger of some respondents.

One said: "The service can be exasperating at times, although I often leave Alloa on time, the train has terminated at Stirling, and I have missed connections as a consequence."

Another added: "Service regularly cancelled altogether or stopping at Stirling since the timetable change, often with little to no notice.

"I've sat on services where the train has reached Stirling and then it has been announced we have to get off as it is cancelled, with no provision for onward journey."

As reported at the time, the survey was set up in January following weeks of travel chaos, when ScotRail issued an apology to Wee County commuters.

Officials said repeated cancellations were due to a "lack of train crew" – a result of staff being trained ahead of timetable changes that came with the introduction of electric trains.

As part of the survey, the local Greens also hoped to gauge support for the reopening of the Alloa-Dunfermline line for passenger services.

More than 70 per cent of those responding said they were likely to use the line, should it open up.

An online poll ran by the Advertiser, which attracted around 360 responses, showed an overwhelming support with 95 per cent of people in support of the reopening.

Marion Robertson, co-convener of the local Green branch, said: "Clacks Greens are highlighting the survey results because we all deserve better, reliable and more affordable rail services and we urgently need sustainable, joined-up public transport to tackle the real threat posed by climate breakdown.

"Scottish Greens support taking our railways back into full public ownership. This would ensure that the rail network is run exclusively in the interest of the people of Scotland.

"We are also sharing the survey findings with Mark Ruskell, Scottish Green MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife, to add to his representations to the Scottish government and ScotRail to urgently improve passenger satisfaction levels."

On Sunday, ScotRail releases the latest performance stats, arguing services have improved, with last week's figures the best since the December timetable change.

Alex Hynes, ScotRail Alliance managing director, said: "Improving the service for our customers is what everyone across the ScotRail Alliance is working flat out to deliver, and it is encouraging that we are delivering improvements in areas where our customers have been most affected in recent months.

"We know that we still need to improve, but I am confident that the investment we are making across Scotland's Railway will help us to give our customers the service they expect and deserve."