Commuters hit out over ScotRail timetable changes
SCOTRAIL has been flooded with complaints about cancelled services and longer journey times in some areas despite the train operator declaring that its new timetable ushers in faster trips to build the “best railway Scotland has ever had”.
Dutch company Abellio, which runs Scotland’s railways, launched its new timetable, which starts on Sunday, with a pledge to deliver “faster journeys, more seats and more services for its customers” with the introduction of high speed trains and new electric trains.
But increasing numbers are complaining to ScotRail that any improvements are coming at a cost to other travellers with fares increasing by an average of 2.8 per cent next year.
ScotRail declared the flagship Edinburgh to Glasgow rail link would see the fastest journey time cut to just 42 minutes as part of a £858million upgrade.
But an analysis of the changes shows that amounts to just one train out of 173 leaving Glasgow Queen Street for Edinburgh Waverley after the new timetable kicks in on Sunday.
The 2pm train on the first working day of the new timetable, outside rush hour, is scheduled to take 42 minutes, with the same train just six minutes slower under the old timetable.
Just 18 of 173 trains are scheduled to make the journey from Glasgow to Scotland’s capital within 50 minutes with the new timetable and none run during the rush hour – a small improvement on the seven out of 159 before the changes.
The 8.41am from Glasgow Queen Street to Aberdeen, which takes 2 hours and 44 minutes, becomes the 8.45am train which takes 22 minutes longer. Rail users complained that there was no consultation over timetable changes and that the first many were aware that the switch was happening was when public meetings were advertised or information was provided by community councils.
In advance of the timetable launch ScotRail asked customers to take a minute to check their journey for any changes.
ScotRail Alliance managing director Alex Hynes said: “The improvements we are making to our timetable from Sunday mean some trains
letters@ eveningtimes. co.uk may depart a few minutes earlier or later than they presently do.
“Commuters in particular should check before Monday morning comes around.
“This is just the first phase of the work we are doing to deliver for our customers over the next year.
“The investment ScotRail and Network Rail is making to electrify more lines and introduce new and upgraded trains means we will deliver faster journeys, more seats, and more services for our customers.”