Scotrail punctuality better but still below par

● Minister hails improvement but opposition says it’s not good enough

The punctuality of Scotrail trains has improved but remains below acceptable levels, new figures showed.

The “moving annual average”, on which the operator is judged, went up by 0.2 points to 90 per cent in the year to last Saturday, compared to a month ago. However, it remains 1.1 points below the benchmark level.

During the past four weeks, 89.7 per cent of trains arrived within five minutes of schedule – the standard measure.

The figure is 2.8 points better than the same period last year, the industry comparison.

It is also six points better than the previous four weeks.

Phil Verster, managing director of the Scotrail Alliance, which includes track owner Network Rail, said: “It is very difficult to pin down when exactly we will be back

0 Scotrail ‘s performance improved in the last month but is still below acceptable levels to benchmark level because of the impact of incidents.

“However, we have improved over the last three periods [months]. That’s a good sign.

“But it’s not a victory yet – there’s a long way to go.”

He said the improvement had come despite major disruption from overhead line problems and a child’s scooter thrown at a train at Airdrie.

The operator said it was now the second best performing large operator in the UK, after Northern, among the six which run the most trains.

Mr Yousaf said: “It is encouraging to note performance has improved compared to the previous period and is above the same period last year by quite some distance.

“There is, of course, still much work to be done and these figures include several incidents which caused widespread disruption across the network.however, in areas where the industry can improve, steady progress is being made by the Scotrail Alliance in terms of the improvement plan.

“I expect to see further improvements, although I accept some disruption during the winter weather will be inevitable.”

Scottish Conservative North East MSP Liam Kerr said: “It’s all fine and well publishing these figures, but commuters know they are still not receiving a good enough service.

“Every day, they are forced to put up with delayed and overcrowded trains, and many have simply had enough.”

Scottish Labour transport spokesman Neil Bibby said: “2016 was a year of delays and disruption on Scotland’s railways.

“This year needs to be a year of change and improvement.

“Humza Yousaf said he expected Scotrail to hit their performance targets by the end of March, yet here we have another set of figures showing contractual targets are still being missed.”