Another week of chaos on trains
Passengers furious over shortage of ScotRail staff
COMMUTERS face a week of chaos on the trains, with cancellations and delays as ScotRail chiefs send staff for extra training – leaving vital routes without key workers.
Passengers faced major disruption on routes across the country yesterday and on Sunday, with railway bosses claiming this was caused by ‘crew shortages’.
They could not guarantee that services will be back to normal before a new timetable comes into force next week, fuelling fears that thousands of commuters could be facing further delays and cancellations.
Services between Edinburgh and Glasgow faced major disruption, along with routes to Aberdeen, Inverness, Dundee and Oban.
It is understood ScotRail staff are receiving training ahead of the timetable changes, which will also see the introduction of a number of new Hitachi Class 385 trains. The franchise, run by Dutch firm Abellio, said that the training was being condensed – but critics hit out at ‘poor workforce planning and management’.
Scottish Tory transport spokesman Jamie Greene said: ‘Like many commuters, I’ve seen first-hand the chaos that has ensued these past few days, with multiple services cancelled due to staff shortages.
‘While I appreciate staff need to be trained on the new, albeit late to be delivered, Class 385 trains, surely it’s not beyond the wit of man to have planned this properly so as not to leave existing services short of drivers.
‘Like everything the SNP controls, this smacks of poor workforce planning and management. It would be laughable were it not such a serious issue. I say to the transport minister it’s time to get a grip on Scotland’s trains.’
Last night, ScotRail sources said delays and cancellations could continue, as the picture was ‘changing daily’.
A new timetable comes into force on Sunday, December 9. ScotRail said it will introduce faster journeys on the route between Edinburgh and Glasgow, via Falkirk.
Scottish Labour transport spokesman Colin Smyth said: ‘This is like something out of a Fawlty Towers sketch.
‘ScotRail have had months to organise training for the new rolling stock and timetables but instead they managed to cause delays and cancellations all over the country because of their incompetence.
‘It’s time to end this chaos, which has gone on under the SNP’s watch for far too long, by bringing our railways into public ownership.’
Hundreds of passengers have used social media to seek answers over the cancellations, with many venting their anger over a lack of staff.
Writing on Twitter, ScotRail said: ‘Due to train crew shortages some services will be cancelled or altered today. We are sorry for any disruption.’
A later message added: ‘Thank you for your patience and understanding regarding cancellations due to train crew shortages today. We are sorry if your journey has been affected.’
Staff shortages have been intensified by an overtime ban put in place by Transport Union RMT, with members refusing to work overtime or on rest days. This follows a dispute over rest day payments for staff.
Replacement buses were drafted in on some routes and commuters have been advised to continue checking if their usual trains are running.
A ScotRail spokesman said: ‘We’re sorry to our customers who have experience disruption to their journey.
‘The majority of the impact is a result of our final push to deliver the December timetable improvements which will bring faster journeys, more seats, and more services for customers.’
Comment – Page 14
‘It’s time to get a grip’