Train passengers should be given half-price travel from now until Christmas to compensate for the disruption they have faced in recent weeks, says Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie.

Ms Baillie has called on ScotRail to offer this as compensation to commuters who had experienced un unacceptable amount of delayed and cancelled trains.

Speaking at the Scottish Parliament she explained that scores of her constituents have complained, saying they have struggled to get to work and university on time, and to attend hospital appointments.

The problem got worse when Bonhill Bridge was being replaced from October 22, which ran over the scheduled time.

Recent figures show the level of cancelled trains was the worst on record up to October 13.

Ms Baillie said: “Morning services were all cancelled but there was no contingency plan, it was nothing short of chaotic.

“This was followed by nine consecutive days of disruption.

“Trains cancelled, delayed and randomly stopping before the end of the line.”

One constituent’s train from Edinburgh to Helensburgh stopped in Dalreoch for an hour then returned to Cardross before telling the 78 passengers to get off the train.

Another person’s Stirling to Glasgow train was cancelled and she didn’t know how she would get home in time.

Ms Baillie has accused the SNP of failing to stand up for passengers and says they are ‘running for the hills.’

She added: “Explaining to your employer that you were late because your train was cancelled or delayed is believable once or twice but nine days in a row stretches the credibility.

“The journey to Glasgow is taking four hours when it should take 30 minutes but the funniest moment was when a Japanese tourist took a photo of the display boards at Glasgow Central Station because it was clearly a novelty to them.

“When the trains do arrive there are three carriages instead of six and commuters get squeezed in like sardines because there’s standing room only.

“SNP ministers have relaxed ScotRail’s performance targets, given them more money and permission to raise the price of travel but the service continues to get worse.

“When will the SNP wake up and understand they need to be on the side of commuters?”

Ms Baillie has urged ScotRail to offer passengers from Helensburgh, Balloch and Dumbarton and in every other area affected half price travel from now until Christmas.

She also says the franchise should end if it doesn’t improve in the next few weeks.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman, said: “Ministers know performance isn’t where it should be. Abellio ScotRail are held to account but Network Rail infrastructure issues are negatively impacting performance.

“While ScotRail performance has remained consistently ahead of the GB average, that GB average has got steadily worse since Network Rail moved timetable planning for Scotland to its Milton Keynes HQ in 2012. These essential railway functions must be devolved back to Scotland to allow any franchise operator to perform at its best.

“We have already secured the right for a public sector operator to bid for a rail franchise in Scotland - after being denied by previous UK Governments (including Labour) - which will enable a level playing field between the private and public sector in bidding for rail franchises for the benefit of passengers and best value for the public purse."

ScotRail Alliance managing director Alex Hynes said: “ScotRail Alliance is working flat out to deliver the best railway Scotland has ever had, and I’m confident that we will do that.

“The performance of the infrastructure hasn’t been good enough in recent months and I am sorry to customers for the impact this has had on them. We are doing everything we can to deliver the more punctual service that our customers deserve.”

Scotrail's Delay Repay Guarantee provides compensation to customers who’ve been delayed by 30 minutes or more. To claim, customers just need to keep hold of their ticket and apply on their website or mobile app. Visit scotrail.co.uk/delay-repay.