ScotRail pays out £400k following delays

Delayed trains have cost ScotRail more than £400,000 in compensation in the first six months of the service’s nationalisation, figures show.

Commuters are entitled to make claims to the ‘delay repay’ scheme when their train is delayed by 30 minutes or more.

ScotRail, which was nationalised by the Scottish Government in April, paid out £406,686 in total from April 1 to October 15, according to data obtained by the Scottish Liberal Democrats using freedom of information requests.

The service has been plagued by disruption as rail staff walked out in disputes over pay.

Train drivers’ union Aslef resolved a wage row with the Scottish Government, but separate walkouts are planned as members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union demand an increase.

Industrial action will begin next Saturday and will continue every Friday and Saturday in December until Christmas, the union has said.

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “Rather than criticise ScotRail for past disruption, particularly when fault can lie elsewhere such as the recent Network Rail strikes, we are focused on ensuring the publicly-owned ScotRail is a success.”

Phil Campbell, ScotRail’s head of customer operations, said: “We are absolutely committed to providing the best possible service for our customers and our Delay Repay Guarantee is at heart of that approach.

“We know how much of an inconvenience it is to customers when things don’t go to plan, and it is only right that they are compensated when that happens.”