Scottish rail network is far from perfect

IT is easy to sympathise with English rail commuters whose daily journeys have been disrupted by industrial action, the chaotic launch of new timetables, “brokendown trains” and a host of other causes.

One London newspaper, referring to the impending 3.1 per cent rise in fares in England and Wales, says that 2018 has been the worst year for rail disruption in a decade.

No-one pretends that the situation in Scotland is as bad as that in England, but too many Scottish commuters are left frustrated and irritated by cancelled trains and botched launch of timetables, and with only the most cursory of apologies in return.

The new “enhanced” winter timetable led to numerous disruptions and delays, exacerbated by another fault with Scotrail’s flagship new Class 385 electric trains. Problems about repeated cancellations on, for example, the Helensburgh and Tweedbank lines, will strike a chord with frustrated commuters everywhere. Many have complained about the new-look service between Edinburgh and Dunblane.

The Office of Rail and Road is holding Network Rail Scotland to account “for delivery of its regulated performance targets” after disclosures that Network Rail was responsible for two in three of the delays which forced Scotrail to settle 65,000 passenger claims in nine months.

Yes, improvements have stemmed from the Scotrail Alliance pledge to give Scotland its best-ever railway. Yes, most trains arrive on time; and yes, the latest figures show that Scotrail punctuality improved by 0.1% on the same period last year. But the system is far from perfect.

Too many commuters are weary of being fobbed off with Scotrail tweeting self-conscious apologies for delays and cancellations. The fare rises will test patience further.

Transport secretary Michael Matheson should speak up more often on commuters’ behalf. And, if the private monopoly that runs our trains could be more pro-active in listening and responding, so much the better.