Anger as new ‘faster’ train journeys take even longer

SCOTRAIL has been hit with complaints about cancelled services and longer journey times in some areas – despite the train operator declaring its new timetable would usher in faster trips.

Dutch company Abellio, which runs Scotland’s railways, launched its new timetable yesterday with a pledge to deliver “faster journeys, more seats and more services” with the introduction of highspeed trains and new class 385 electric trains.

But increasing numbers are complaining to Scotrail that any improvements are coming at a cost to other travellers, with fares increasing by an average of 2.8 per cent next year.

And at least one MSP, Mark Ruskell, who represents mid-scotland and Fife, is seeking urgent talks with Transport Secretary Michael Matheson about the issue.

Scotrail declared the flagship Edinburgh to Glasgow rail link would see the fastest journey time cut to just 42 minutes as part of a £858 million upgrade.

But an analysis by The Herald of the changes shows that amounts to just one train out of 173 leaving Glasgow Queen Street for Edinburgh Waverley. The 2pm train on the first working day of the new timetable, outside of rush hour, is scheduled to take 42 minutes, with the same train just six minutes slower under the old schedule.

We found that only 18 of 173 trains are due to make the journey from Glasgow to the capital within 50 minutes under the new timetable and none run during the rush-hour – a small improvement on the seven out of 159 before the changes.

Among the losers are those seeking to get from Polmont and Linlithgow to Stirling as the daytime direct service has gone. This has led to complaints to Scotrail that it would double journey times. One user described it as “madness”.

Commuters also complained of cuts to services and journey times between Dunblane and Edinburgh, including the loss of a morning commuter express.

Mr Ruskell has lodged a complaint with Mr Matheson after hearing objections from residents at meetings held in Dunblane and Bridge of Allan.

He added in a letter to the transport secretary: “As far as we can ascertain, neither Scotrail nor Network Rail has conducted

Neither Scotrail nor Network Rail conducted any public consultation

any public consultation prior to the introduction of the new timetable. The Scotrail representative at our meeting indicated this was because consultation was challenging.”

Scotrail Alliance managing director Alex Hynes said: “The improvements we are making to our timetable from Sunday mean some trains may depart a few minutes earlier or later than they presently do. Commuters in particular should check before Monday morning comes around.

“This is the first phase of the work we are doing to deliver for customers over the next year. The investment Scotrail and Network Rail are making to electrify more lines and introduce new and upgraded trains means we will deliver faster journeys, more seats and more services for customers.”