Council leader blasts cuts to train services
The new leader of South Lanarkshire Council has slammed cuts to train services.
Councillor Joe Fagan represents East Kilbride Central North and has hit out at a reduced timetable, saying the town’s rail services “weren’t good enough to begin with”.
ScotRail’s new timetable began last week as the deadlock over drivers’ pay continues.
Drivers’ union Aslef had argued an initial 2.2 per cent pay rise was not acceptable at a time of soaring inflation, with many drivers opting to work to rule in protest.
Drivers have now been offered an improved 4.2 per cent pay offer.
The union says it will consult members but has not made any recommendations of acceptance.
The new temporary timetable for East Kilbride means an hourly service for most of the day, just weeks after ScotRail came under national ownership, reducing the number of services from 35 a day to 20.
The last train back to the town is now 10.17pm instead of 11.17pm during the week.
Councillor Fagan said: “East Kilbride’s rail service wasn’t good enough to begin with but under this timetable it will be cut back further.
“The country faces
a climate crisis and an economic crisis, yet our railways are being forced onto reduced timetables.
“Lots of people who want to use public transport are being forced to take the car.
“The management cannot blame trade unions for their own failure to recruit – they should not be dependent on overtime to run a basic service.
“The Scottish Government own ScotRail now and they need to get a grip.”
His criticism is mirrored by Central Scotland MSP Graham Simpson, who slammed nationalisation.
ScotRail’s service delivery director, David Simpson, said: “I hope we have this in place for as short a time as possible because we recognise the disruption it is causing to people.
“We need to sit down and talk against the background where everyone is clear that we need to compromise. “
Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth has said she expects 38 new drivers to be qualified by the end of the summer, 55 by the end of the year, and 100 by June 2023.