MSP says rail misery has become ‘a farce’

TRANSPORT: Fife politician slams ScotRail after poor performance led to complaints from train passengers

ScotRail has been branded “a farce” by a Fife MSP as timetable changes and industrial action created a double whammy for travellers.

Labour MSP Alex Rowley added to criticism of the rail operator after passengers between Edinburgh, Fife and Aberdeen endured widespread cancellations described by Scotland’s transport minister as “unacceptable”.

“It is evident to most people using ScotRail services in Fife and indeed, elsewhere, that the extent of overcrowding is at unacceptable levels. On top of this the actual service they receive is increasingly poor,” said Mr Rowley.

“I am asking ScotRail and the Scottish Government what actions are being taken to address the problems of overcrowding on the Fife Circle. Also what actions are being taken to reduce the number of cancellations that people are experiencing?

“More generally what is ScotRail doing to improve the service because this is starting to become a farce.”

Transport Secretary Michael Matheson told Holyrood’s Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee the travelling public deserved better. Mr Matheson said ScotRail had not done enough to tell passengers about disruption, and that a shortage of train crew had caused an “unacceptable level of cancellations”.

He added: “They should have communicated that much more clearly, at a much earlier stage.”

After a weekend of chaos for rail travellers Mr Matheson met ScotRail Alliance managing director Alex Hynes who said the problem was due to a delay over refurbished rolling stock from Hitachi and an industrial dispute.

The arrival of the Hitachi electric trains coincides with major timetable changes due this Sunday.

Since October the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union’s ScotRail members have been told not to volunteer for overtime and rest-day working.

The row centres on what the RMT says is discriminatory treatment of staff, with only driver-grade employees offered better pay for working rest days. RMT wants equality across all grades.

A ScotRail spokesperson said: “We’re sorry to our customers who have experienced disruption to their journey.

“The majority of the impact is a result of our final push to deliver the December timetable improvements that will bring faster journeys, more seats, and more services for our customers.”

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said: “Over the past weekend travellers have had to put up with performance on our railways that has been nothing short of shambolic. To add insult to injury ScotRail are planning on hiking prices in the New Year by an average of 2.8% and scrapping the Kids Go Free promotion.”

“The actual service they receive is increasingly poor. ALEX ROWLEY

It has not been a vintage week for ScotRail. A cynic may argue not many are. Indeed, looking back through cuttings from this very newspaper, somewhat vexatious issues just over the last few months have included overcrowding, a lack of punctuality, trains skipping stations and excessive cost. Not the greatest of endorsements.

Earlier this week, ScotRail announced it would be scrapping free rail travel for children.

With Christmas just around the corner, and the current problems prominent in the headlines, the timing could hardly have been worse.

Yesterday Scotland’s transport secretary Michael Matheson got in on the act, declaring that ScotRail passengers “deserve better”.

It is hard to disagree.

The latest problems appear to originate from a shortage of train crew. The knock-on impact has been numerous cancellations, causing inevitable frustration among regular commuters.

Mr Matheson said he had made it absolutely clear to ScotRail that recent performance had been “unacceptable”.

That being the case, one rather wonders what the sanction will be.

Many members of the public could be forgiven for thinking that while politicians are quick to put the boot in, potential solutions are rather more rare.