MSP to quiz ScotRail bosses on Facebook about complaints

Rail bosses are to be quizzed about cancelled services, station skipping and overcrowding during a live Facebook chat today.

Labour MSP Claire Baker will hold a question-and-answer session with Abellio ScotRail’s chief operating officer, Angus Thom, and head of integrated control Mark Ilderton.

The move follows a host of complaints from commuters about the Fife Circle service in recent months.

Mrs Baker has urged anyone who would like her to ask a question on their behalf to get in touch.

The chat was meant to take place on Monday March 2 but was cancelled due to bad weather.

“My parliamentary inbox is regularly full of complaints from commuters across Fife and has been for a number of years,” said Mrs Baker.

“For too long passengers have only been able to raise their concerns with train staff or the blameless workers that have to manage ScotRail’s Twitter account.

“It is only right that you have the opportunity to raise your issues with those at the top of the organisation and get the answers you deserve.”

The mid Scotland and Fife MSP arranged the chat after it was revealed almost half of peak-time trains between Fife and Edinburgh were either late, overcrowded or had skipped stops at the end of last year.

ScotRail said the introduction of new trains and the electrification of the central belt would result in positive changes.

The video chat will be broadcast live on Mrs Baker’s Facebook page https://www. facebook.com/VoteClaireBaker/ from noon and is due to last 30 to 45 minutes.