Boss: I don’t want staff who commute by train!

A SHOP OWNER has said he will ‘think twice’ in future about employing a rail commuter because one of his staff is regularly delayed.

John McKee, director of Hanover Healthfoods in Edinburgh, is frustrated that ScotRail continues to frustrate Rachel Bell, of Aberdour, Fife, from getting to work.

Mrs Bell should open the shop on Hanover Street every morning but rail disruption means Mr McKee is forced to do it himself.

Delays also affect Mrs Bell on her way home, meaning she is late picking up her child after school.

The complaint comes as ScotRail launched its biggest timetable shake-up in years on Saturday. More than 100 new services were rolled out but delays and cancellations continued to hamper commuters yesterday.

Mr McKee revealed he often has to open the shop, which is also a parcel drop-off point, in the mornings because of Mrs Bell’s delays. He said: ‘I’ve been getting here at 8.30am every day because I can’t rely on her to open the shop – but that was a choice I made.

‘Rachel is still commuting by train and relying on my tolerance. I’m OK with that because she is a valued employee.

‘But it really does make you think twice about employing somebody who needs to take the train.’

Mrs Bell said: ‘My boss hired me so he could depend on me but I’m having to let him down.’

The launch of the new timetable was blighted by disruption at a time when performance has sunk to its lowest level in ten years.

Commuters were outraged at the cancellations and delays – with some venting their frustration online.

One wrote: ‘Late departures from every station. So much for the new timetable.’

Another said: ‘50-minute wait in the freezing cold for a train to Stirling. New timetable’s going well.’

A third wrote: ‘First Monday of new timetable, 20 cancellations. Says it all.’

ScotRail said: ‘This major timetable improvement is an important step in our journey towards building the best railway Scotland has ever had.’

The spokesman added: ‘We know performance hasn’t been good enough recently and we are doing everything we can to deliver the more punctual service that our customers deserve.’