MSPS reject Labour proposals to end Scotrail franchise early

MSPS have rejected calls from Labour for the Scottish Government to end the Scotrail franchise early.

The party had received backing from transport unions including Aslef, the TSSA and the RMT for rail in Scotland to be brought into public ownership – but MSPS voted by 85 to 32 against the Labour proposal, which had urged the government not to extend the franchise beyond its current expiry date of 2022.

It comes after figures suggested 74,514 trains have been cancelled since Dutch firm Abellio began running the service in April 2015 – 327 a week.

Speaking at Holyrood, Scottish Labour MSP Colin Smyth warned against an extension of the agreement.

He said: “Extending the franchise, frankly, would reward failure. It would send a signal to private rail operators that it doesn’t matter how poor your performance is, you won’t ever have to deliver on your franchise targets.

“Even members who don’t support public ownership must see the current franchise is just not working.”

Transport Secretary Michael Matheson outlined investment of £8 billion made by the Scottish Government in rail improvements in Scotland, as well as setting high performance standards above those set elsewhere in the UK. However, he acknowledged elements of Scotrail’s operations “have not performed to the levels specified and required”.

An Abellio Scotrail spokesman said: “We are pleased parliament has not taken a short-term view of the future of Scotland’s railway.

“We recognise we need to deliver the railway customers expect and deserve, and we are committed to completing that job during this franchise.”