55 trains or every day
MORE than 50 trains a day are cancelled or ‘significantly late’ in Scotland, latest analysis shows.
The figures are yet more evidence of the crisis on Scotland’s railways under the SNP. They heap further pressure on Transport Minister Humza Yousaf and ScotRail operator Abellio.
Since the Dutch firm took over the network in April last year, an average of 49 trains a day have been cancelled or delayed by at least 30 minutes.
But the Office of Road and Rail statistics show performance is getting worse. In the four weeks from August 21, 1,240 trains were delayed or cancelled. In the following four weeks, that soared to 1,539 – an average of 55 a day.
Passengers are entitled to compensation if trains are deemed ‘significantly late’, but it is estimated only a third actually claim it.
Scottish Labour transport spokesman Neil Bibby said: ‘These figures are just the latest demonstration of the problems passengers are facing.
‘Not only are people travelling on expensive and overcrowded trains, over 50 services a day are significantly late or even cancelled. That causes huge problems for commuters trying to get to and from work.
‘With so much disruption on the railways, it is clear passengers do not feel they are getting a fair deal. Much more has to be done to make sure they are properly compensated.
‘Passengers deserve a break. That is why Scottish Labour believes passengers deserve a fare freeze in 2017.’
But the ScotRail Alliance, which represents Abellio and Network Rail north of the Border, insisted passengers need to be more patient.
A spokesman said: ‘We are going through the biggest change and improvement in our railway infrastructure since the Victorian era.
‘That upgrade to our track is being matched by what we are investing in our fleet. Our largest ever train improvement programme will deliver new and better trains, with more seats and customer benefits such as enhanced WiFi and at-seat power sockets.
‘All of this will take time. While we are working on it, we will do everything we can to minimise disruption and keep people moving.
‘When it is all in place, we will have transformed rail travel in Scotland.
‘However, there is no doubt that we need to deliver better punctuality and reliability.’
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: ‘To put these numbers in perspective, ScotRail operates 58,700 services every four weeks.
‘It is also important to remember that, despite recent challenges, the performance of rail services in Scotland is higher than the UK average, with almost 90 per cent of trains running on time.
‘ScotRail services remain almost 2 per cent above the GB average.’
‘Passengers deserve a fare freeze in 2017’