Commuters targeted to back public rail control

Labour leader Richard Leonard will today launch a fresh push to bring Scottish rail services back into public ownership

Rush hour commuters will be targeted amid growing concerns over the performance of Scotrail. It also follows the return of the East Coast mainline to public control at the weekend after Virgin’s unsuccessful stewardship of the franchise.

“The franchising model does not work,” said Mr Leonard, who will be at Glasgow Central today with activists.

“It is time to nationalise our railways and put public transport back into public hands.

“Getting to work shouldn’t be a gamble, but for too many passengers in Scotland the daily commute means an overcrowded, late running, overpriced train – if it turns up at all.”

Scotrail is required to have a specific percentage of trains arrive on time during 13 periods across the year but fell short throughout 2017/18.

Transport minister Humza Yousaf has already unveiledplanswhichcould allow a pubic sector bid for the Scotrail franchise and is expected to update MSPS this week.

His spokeswoman said: “Scotrail’s performance is better than England and Wales as a whole and there have been improvements in performance.”

Infrastructure enhancements are also happening in Scotland, with refurbished and additional services being provided, she added.