Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, has called on Scotrail to increase the number of carriages on its rush hour services to allow for the proper social distancing of passengers.

This follows a constituent contacting Jackie Baillie to say that they were unable to keep even one meter apart from other passengers on a weekday morning service on the Helensburgh to Glasgow line.

Scotrail has cited a reduction in its passenger numbers as a reason for reducing the number of carriages but this has resulted in passengers having to sit closer together than is currently safe to do.

Jackie Baillie MSP said:

“I understand that Scotrail will be experiencing a drop in passenger numbers at the moment but with the need for social distancing to be followed, a drop in numbers cannot equate to a reduction in carriages.

“It is unacceptable that passengers are forced to put their health, and the health of others, at risk when travelling on Scotrail trains.

“I have urged Scotrail to rethink the number of carriages that they provide, at least for the busier rush hour services which a significant number of people still rely on.”