Passengers pay the price af ter Nats failed to do any research
SNP ministers failed to do any work assessing overseas train services before taking control of ScotRail.
Critics yesterday claimed passengers are now paying the price for the ‘predictable failure’ of the operator since it was nationalised last month.
It comes after ministers admitted that no detailed analysis was carried out of similar nationalised services in Europe or elsewhere.
They also failed to carry out any overseas visits to see how other nationalised services work.
Liam Kerr, Scottish Conservative net zero, energy and transport spokesman, said: ‘The SNP knew for years it was going to take control of ScotRail. Yet there has been a clear lack of due diligence when it comes to learning about what would actually be involved.
‘By getting up close to other nationalised rail projects, or at least learning from the woes of Prestwick Airport, the Nationalists would have been in a much better position when
‘Clear lack of due diligence’
this arrangement started last month. Instead, they flew by the seat of their pants and now passengers are paying the price.
‘The SNP’s new rail project has got off to a dreadful start, and a predictable failure to properly plan is one of the reasons why.’
In a written question at Holyrood, Mr Kerr had asked what studies or analysis the Scottish Government undertook of publicly owned railways in other countries between December 2019 and March 2022, and whether the results of these will be published.
Responding, Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth said only that Transport Scotland officials ‘maintain awareness of developments in railways in other countries, including those in public ownership’.
She added: ‘This appreciation is used to inform analysis of options for the development of Scotland’s Railways in line with the priorities of the Scottish Government.’
In a further question, Mr Kerr asked the Scottish Government which other countries its ministers or officials visited between December 2019 and March 2022 in order to see first-hand how publicly owned railways operate.
Miss Gilruth said: ‘Opportunities for international travel between December 2019 and March 2022 were restricted by the pandemic. Accordingly there were no official visits to countries outside the UK by Scottish ministers and/or officials.’
Asked whether there had been any meetings with representatives of publicly owned Prestwick Airport to discuss the nationalisation of ScotRail, Miss Gilruth said: ‘Prestwick Airport Station is owned by Prestwick Airport therefore it is not operated by ScotRail, albeit passenger services do call there. Discussions did not centre on ScotRail coming into public sector control.
‘During this timeframe there was, however, consideration by Transport Scotland and ScotRail in the context of the transition from Abellio ScotRail to ScotRail Trains Ltd.’