MIND THE CHAP
Scandal of packed Scots railway routes running up to 146% of capacity
SCOTLAND’S busiest train services were revealed yesterday – with one operating at a massive 146 per cent over capacity.
Labour described the report as “alarming” and called for urgent Government action to restore public confidence.
The 17.21 Edinburgh to Glasgow Central service, via Shotts, was ranked the most crowded with a maximum of 270 passengers.
This is despite the train running with a planned capacity, seating and standing, of 185 passengers.
The 17.01 Glasgow Central-East Kilbride (during the summer) and the 08.07 Neilston-Glasgow Central complete the top three.
Both were found to be more than 130 per cent over capacity using Transport Scotland data analysing passenger counts over the previous six months.
Labour transport spokesman Neil Bibby said: “This is a long overdue report, which has only been published following Labour pressure.
“It reveals the alarming scale of overcrowding on trains across Scotland.
“The fact that a train with room for 185 passengers, including those standing, can have 270 people on board is simply staggering.”
Bibby said morale among commuters is at rock bottom.
He added: “Passengers are fedup with overcrowded, delayed and expensive trains. The SNP’s ScotRail shambles has led to passenger satisfaction falling to a 14-year low.”
The Government and ScotRail have launched an ambitious £5billion investment programme, which they say will transform services.
The scheme was announced last year after widespread criticism of ScotRail’s reliability since Dutch owners Abellio took over the contract in April 2015.
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: “We wholly assure passengers we are focused on delivering the value-for-money service they both want and deserve.
“We will achieve this in the near future. Meanwhile, this busiest trains information will help make informed journey planning choices simpler in the here and now.” The Government claim they have introduced an extra 160 carriages since 2007.
Next year, highspeed trains will be introduced, creating 40 per cent more seats on inter-city routes. And they have vowed to increase seating capacity by 23 per cent by 2023. A ScotRail Alliance spokesman said: “This information shows exactly why we are right to be investing so heavily in our largest ever train improvement programme.”
Information on less crowded trains will also be published on the ScotRail website to help customers select quieter services outwith peak times.