New ScotRail plan branded a farce
ScotRail are to rip up a blueprint to improve their service and start a new one after failing to meet performance targets, a leaked memo has revealed.
The move was described as the “stuff of farce” by a leading union.
Dutch operators Abellio are to put together a new performance improvement plan after failing to hit punctuality targets.
It comes 16 months after the current 249-point plan was agreed with Transport Minister Humza Yousaf.
ScotRail Alliance managing director Alex Hynes wrote in an email to staff that an “early and particularly difficult autumn”, Storm Ca rol ine and low temperatures affected services.
He wrote: “As a result, our performance has now fallen below the improvement plan level in the franchise agreement. We will now come forward with a new performance improvement plan.”
But TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said: “Abellio had to grovel before Humza Yousaf after failing to achieve those franchise agreement targets and create a new performance improvement plan. And now they’ve failed that one too.
“So for Alex Hynes to suggest another performance improvement plan is the stuff of farce. Humza can’t let them get away with this.
“He knows it’s time to serve notice on Abellio that he will break the franchise next year and prepare to bring ScotRail into public ownership.”
ScotRai l said they had appointed former TransPennine Express managing director Nick Donovan to review their performance and will come up with proposals in “due course”.