More rail chaos as the trains grind to a halt... yet again
RUSH-HOUR commuters were subjected to fresh travel chaos last night after a signalling fault caused the cancellation of dozens of rail services.
Routes through Glasgow Queen Street and Glasgow Central low levels were cancelled at 4pm yesterday, forcing passengers to travel on replacement bus services.
The disruption was caused by a signalling fault between Drumry and Hyndland in Glasgow, with busy commuter routes including Helensburgh Central to Edinburgh cancelled while repairs were carried out.
The Dumbarton Central to Cumbernauld service was also suspended, as were those to Milngavie, Dalmuir, Springburn, Airdrie, Motherwell and Shotts.
Abellio ScotRail apologised for yesterday’s chaos, telling passengers: ‘We’re sorry we’re disrupting your journey this afternoon.’
Last night, travellers vented their frustration. One wrote on Twitter: ‘You’d be better just posting updates when a train is running on time. It
‘Sorry to disrupt your journey’
would save us time and effort to just assume our trains are cancelled.’
Yesterday’s cancellations followed a Bank Holiday weekend of chaos for passengers travelling to and from Glasgow Central. Services were cancelled after severe damage to overhead wires, while operations were halted early on Sunday evening to allow for repair work.
Passengers were transferred to a replacement bus service but a lack of vehicles meant there was only one bus an hour to some destinations.
The disruption came as Abellio ScotRail was hit with record fines after failing to meet two-thirds of its targets at the start of this year.
Figures published by Transport Scotland revealed it failed to meet standards in 22 of 34 areas, including cleanliness in trains, stations and toilets, security and customer service.
The failings mean it has racked up a record £4.6million in fines over the past financial year, including £1.6million in the past three months alone.
A survey recently named Glasgow Queen Street Britain’s most unpopular station.
Abellio ScotRail managing director Alex Hynes will today give evidence on rail services to MSPs on the rural economy and connectivity committee.