Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Helensburgh and the Vale of Leven has today welcomed the decision by the Scottish Government to back her longstanding calls to end Abellio’s ScotRail franchise in 2022.

Jackie, along with her Scottish Labour colleagues have twice voted to force the SNP Government to end Abellio’s control over ScotRail. On both occasions, the SNP and the Conservatives worked together to vote the suggestion down.

Local commuters have experienced poor services with delays, cancellations, stop skipping and short formed trains. People have missed hospital appointments, missed exams and been late at work countless times.

Jackie Baillie MSP for Dumbarton, Vale of Leven and Helensburgh said:

“For the past two years I have campaigned to end Abellio’s shambolic tenure in charge of Scotland’s railways. Ever since taking over the franchise, Abellio has made big promises and commitments but failed to deliver on them consistently.

“I am glad that the SNP has listened to my campaign and the concerns of local passengers who travel daily between Dumbarton, Helensburgh and Balloch to end this failing franchise. Passengers have had to put up with delays, cancellations, stop skipping, short formed trains and are crammed into carriages like sardines. And the problems continue today.

“The Cabinet Secretary must also ensure that the service is improved between now and the end of the franchise in March 2022

“This news is a step in the right direction, but what is needed now is for the Scottish Government to make a serious public sector bid for the control of ScotRail. Not flog it off once more to a foreign-based private company, focused only on profit. Only then, will the issues experienced by my constituents, and passengers across Scotland, be addressed.”