Leonard hits out at delays on railways

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard has hit out at railway reliability following publication of the network’s latest performance statistics.

Figures for the 12 months to November 10 show that 53 per cent of trains at Airdrie arrived on time – defined as “within 59 seconds of the booked arrival time, having called at all stations on the route” – and 54.4 per cent of those at Whifflet.

The statistics for services arriving at the two Monklands terminus stations within five minutes of their scheduled time were 84.8 per cent and 87.1 per cent respectively.

Mr Leonard’s party had led an unsuccessful attempt at the Scottish Parliament asking to use the break clause in Abellio’s contract and take rail services back into public ownership.

The Central Scotland MSP said: “We’re constantly told that private ownership is more efficient than public, but passengers are suffering from overpriced tickets, overcrowded trains, delays and cancellations.

“ScotRail in private hands will always put profit before passengers. We will end this failed privatisation model.”