Over 50 travellers turned up to the event in the town hall, attended by representatives from Avanti West Coast, Transpennine Express, Scot Rail, Network Rail and Dumfries and Galloway Council.
Meeting chairman Cllr Andrew Wood told them: “It’s been abysmal, the services we have had to endure.
“It’s very important for the economy of Dumfries and Galloway that we have a good rail network right across the board.”
Sharing her experiences, Dumfries commuter Fiona Grierson said: “If anything goes wrong with any trains it has a horrific impact on us, the passengers.
“Since last August it has got worse and worse – everyone across the region cannot believe how bad it is.”
Cllr Adam Wilson, also a regular commuter to Edinburgh, added: “We have had a raw deal over a long period of time.”
And South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth listed the litany of failures, saying: “Lockerbie are treated as second class passengers.
“The decisions you have made are exasperating the problems people are facing.”
Responding, Katherine O’Brian, from TransPennine Express, said: “I’m here to say sorry and hopefully give you some explanation as to why.
“We cannot put right what’s gone wrong. I know the level of frustration and pain we have caused is unacceptable.
“This is an assurance that things are going to get better.”
Full story- next week’s Annandale Herald