Mind the (time) gap! ScotRail’s trains still late

SCOTRAIL is still missing key arrival deadlines at 60 per cent of stations, records show.

Latest figures reveal that 43 out of 73 – including Edinburgh Waverley, Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth and Inverness – were affected by delays of at least five minutes last month.

Plagued with problems over the past year, the service run by Dutch firm Abellio continues to fall short of the yardstick Public Performance Measure (PPM).

Nearly ten per cent or 90.8 per cent of trains are still missing the PPM standard which allows the five-minutes leeway. The picture looks even grimmer when arrivals within a minute of the deadline are considered.

Up to half the trains in and out of Waverley could be classed as ‘late’ by this standard.

The stricter measure would also show only 52.4 per cent bang on time at Glasgow Central, 60 per cent at the city’s Queen Street and 61.7 per cent at Dundee.

Scottish Labour’s transport spokesman Neil Bibby said: ‘These figures show there is still a considerable problem. It is unacceptable that services at nearly 60 per cent of stations failed to hit the performance target last month.

‘With the Edinburgh festivals – and autumn fast approaching – it is vital performance improves. Scottish Labour will continue to keep up the pressure on ScotRail and the SNP Government to meet the needs of passengers.’

As part of its For the Many campaign, focusing this week on a greener Scotland, Labour will set out its plans for improving the railways in a bid to ease congestion and reduce air pollution.

Despite the new figures, ScotRail’s record has improved in recent months after an outcry by passengers over delays, cancellations and overcrowding.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf had introduced a ‘performance improvement plan’ in response. Yesterday a ScotRail spokesman said: ‘Of the 60,000 services that we ran last month, 94 per cent arrived on time. That’s up from 91.1 per cent last year, and exceeds the 90.9 per cent target in the performance plan.

‘We are building the best railway Scotland has ever had, and we are delivering record-equalling satisfaction scores of 90 per cent at a time of huge investment to our network that will deliver faster trains, more seats and better services.’

Earlier this year, however, ScotRail was fined £483,000 for failing to meet required standards for trains and stations, while former boss Phil Verster quit his position after less than two years in charge.

Abellio was awarded the franchise in 2015 in a ten-year deal worth up to £10billion which runs until 2025. Ministers, however, are considering a public sector bid.

There is a clause in the contract which would allow Abellio to walk away after five years.

The government could also scrap the deal if service continued to dip below the required level.

Mr Yousaf has said he is exploring a drastic shake-up of the railways after meeting stakeholders interested in a public sector bid.

He has confirmed, though, that he doesn’t have plans to cancel the contract with Abellio.

Previously it was revealed rail chiefs were paying £2,000 a day in compensation to passengers hit by long delays. This ran to £587,527 over the nine months to last December, which included £52,000 as a ‘gesture of goodwill’.