Fiona Hyslop conceded it "does not yet meet standards required" and she has told Scotrail management that "must improve as quickly as possible".

This was in response to Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alex Rowley's repeated concerns about the declining service on the tracks despite fare increases.

He had called on Ms Hyslop to "directly intervene and demand that an action plan is put in place to quickly get the level of service up to an acceptable standard".

Mr Rowley highlighted regular issues of short-form trains with "not enough carriages for the number of people travelling".

He further claimed that the people of Fife "cannot be expected to put up with the worst rail services in Scotland".

Scotrail have also recently received backlash for the reintroduction of peak fares across Scotland after a trial period of no price increase on time-specific services concluded in September.

Ms Hyslop assured that she would "continue to push for the progress to ensure that Scotrail in public ownership is considered a success by the people of Fife and wider in Scotland".

The transport secretary also explained: "The short-forming of trains in [the] Fife region is mostly caused by issues with diesel trains' availability."

Mr Rowley welcomed the response, saying: "I have always been pleased with the engagement I have had from the transport secretary and the Scotrail management team on these issues, but the time has come for action and not words - people in Fife must see improvements to their rail services as a matter of urgency."

He further urged anyone experiencing issues with the train services in Fife, such as late or cancelled trains, fewer carriages than expected, or overcrowding, to contact their MSPs and Scotrail.

He added: "I am clear Fife will no longer accept poorer rail services than the rest of the country."