Rail service hits the buffers over usage
MSP Simpson takes on transport minister Yousaf
Transport minister Humza Yousaf was put on the spot by a Central Scotland MSP after figures showed passengers were turning their backs on the East Kilbride rail line.
East Kilbride-based Tory Graham Simpson quizzed the SNP minister at Holyrood following statistics released by the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) operations committee which confirmed a huge drop in the number of journeys made to and from East Kilbride, Hairmyres and Thorntonhall stations on the Glasgow line in 2016/17.
Mr Simpson said: “Over recent weeks we have had surveys and reports that show that train passengers in East Kilbride have had enough.
“The East Kilbride News highlighted recently the number of ‘entries and exits’, at both East Kilbride stations [and Thorntonhall] showed there has been a staggering decrease of over 200,000 using the ScotRail service from 2015/16 to 2016/17.
“That’s a shocking statistic but not a surprising one as the commuters of the town have had to put up with overcrowding and lack of carriages on a regular basis along with trains cancelled at a moment’s notice.
“The drop in numbers should set alarm bells ringing within the Scottish Government.
“That is why I asked the minister what was being done.”
Mr Simpson added: “He trotted out the same old line about councils and transport partnerships putting together a business case and the SNP’s usual stock answer which is to blame the UK Government for lack of funding.
“Thankfully the people of the town can see through this waffle and are now making their feelings known by voting with their feet.”
Mr Yousaf, minister for transport and the islands, says a review will aim to identify areas for improvement across the network.
He said: “I do completely understand the impact poor performance has on customers and, as has been well-documented, the dip in ScotRail’s performance in recent months has resulted in it falling below the standards required by the Scottish Government and demanded by passengers.
“I’m also acutely aware skip-stopping is very unpopular, albeit this practice is monitored by Transport Scotland to enable them to challenge ScotRail to minimise its use, particularly at peak periods, and to make sure customers have clear, timely communication where it is used.
“The ongoing independent Donavan review will look closely at performance, including skip-stopping.
“Once the findings of this are known, I will take the opportunity to look at the recommended steps for improvement and how this information is made publicly available. This will enable us to continue to work in partnership with the ScotRail Alliance to help build the best railway Scotland has ever had.”