MSPs hit back at ScotRail’s self-praise
MSP’s have slammed a report claiming upgraded ScotRail trains are delivering a better service for customers as“meaningless”.
According to new figures, record investment across Scotland’s Railway, including £475 million on new and upgraded trains, has improved the commuter’s experience.
Welcoming the report this week, ScotRail boss David Lister said it was “great”to see the hard work and effort of his staff“continuing to pay off”.
However, after continued calls for investment in East Kilbride’s railway and park and ride, Central Scotland Tory MSP Graham Simpson hit back, saying:“It’s all very well ScotRail harping on about increased investment but what people in East Kilbride want to see is investment to dual the line throughout and move Hairmyres station so we can have decent park and ride facilities.
“Until we get that then these bland press released will be utterly meaningless.”
The Service Quality Incentive Regime (SQUIRE) report, released by Transport Scotland, claims that the service on ScotRail trains and at stations improved significantly between September 15 to December 7, last year compared with the same period the previous year.
It also says continued investment in CCTV, station environments, customer information and train cleanliness has led to a £190,927 year-on-year reduction in contributions to the SQUIRE fund.
The report states that customers have seen improvements in security on trains and at stations following the upgrade of ScotRail’s CCTV network, with station and on-train CCTV availability improving by an accumulative seven percentage points compared to the same period last year.
And litter and contamination at stations continues to improve thanks to a closer working relationship with Network Rail.
Other improvements include the availability of on-train toilets as a result of new controlled emission tank facilities at Yoker depot.
Customer service from ScotRail staff on trains and at stations has reportedly also improved by an accumulative five per cent points.
ScotRail sustainability and safety assurance director, David Lister, said: “It’s great to see the hard work and effort of our people, to deliver the level of service our customers expect and deserve, continuing to pay off.
“The £475 million spent on new and upgraded trains, and continued investment in better stations, and better facilities will ensure we continue to make improvements in the areas that matter most.”
Campaigners and beleaguered commuters have long called for much-needed improvements to the line between East Kilbride and Glasgow – with local politicians calling for electrification of the route.
East Kilbride MSP Linda Fabiani raised the issue in the Scottish Parliament where it was confirmed that initial investment will see longer trains with more seats for passengers.
Backing her constituents calls, Linda Fabiani MSP said:“This news is good for areas which have seen improvements to both stations and services as a result of this funding.
Commuters in East Kilbride will rightly be expecting to see improvements to our services, so I will be asking for an update on plans to the East Kilbride line.”