Off-track

The Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) report, A Public future for Scotland’s Railways, completely misrepresents how the rail industry operates in Scotland. (“Publicrun Scotrail would cut fares by 7 per cent”, 29 November). While energy, telecoms and mail are now clearly owned and operated in the private sector, the rail sector is markedly different. Scotland’s rail operation is owned in perpe- tuity by the Scottish Government, who then lets a contract to operators to deliver this vital public service on their behalf. These contracts cover a strictly defined period, with all key strategic and investment decisions made by the Scottish Government.

The other parts of the industry are also effectively nationalised. Network Rail, owner of the infrastructure, is a public sector body whose budgets and priorities are determined by government, and ministers in London and Holyrood. The vast majority of Scotrail fares are regulated, and therefore set by the Scottish Government.

This partnership between Abellio, Network Rail and the Scottish Government is unlocking unprecedented levels of investment to build the best railway that Scotland has ever had. We will next year introduce new electric trains to the Central Belt. This will slash journey times, increase reliability and, crucially, offer our customers more seats than ever before. We will also create an inter-city network that will link up our seven cities, a first for Scotland.

Suggesting, as TSSA does, that a public sector operator would have the means or the ability to do things better than under the current model lacks credibility. ANDREW MCINTYRE

Head of Policy and Communications Scotland Abellio, Renfield Street, Glasgow