Stations among worst for train punctuality

Trains arriving in Angus and the Mearns are among the most likely to be late.

New figures have shown one in five trains are arriving five minutes or more after the scheduled arrival time.

According to national statistics published by ScotRail, out of 81 stations measured for public performance (PPM), ones on that stretch rate among the 15 worst in Scotland for punctuality.

Against a national service target of 92.27%, ScotRail presently has the worst performance since Abellio took over the franchise in 2015, with only 87.3% for trains arriving within five minutes of the scheduled arrival time.

The figures show 82.3% of trains arrived in Stonehaven on time and 83.3% for Montrose.

Trains for Arbroath had the second-worst punctuality in Scotland with only 67.4% arriving on time.

North East Scotland Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles said ministers should look for another franchise holder if things do not improve.

He said: “Rail performance in Scotland is at an all-time low and passengers here in the north-east have been forced to put up with it for too long.

“Scottish Government ministers have intentionally turned a blind eye to the failures in ScotRail because they are more interested in headlines than supporting our public transport network.

“Instead of penalising Abellio ScotRail for some of the worst performance on record, the Scottish Government has waived all performance penalties until June 2019 and made advance payments worth over £20 million.

“The Scottish Government needs to stop sitting on its hands and start using the powers it has to take control of the situation.

“If things don’t improve rapidly, ministers should start looking for a franchise holder that will put passenger services and the Scottish taxpayer first.”

MSP Mike Rumbles says a new franchise holder may be needed.