SQUIRE ( Service Quality Incentive Regime) figures released last week have shown that in the last quarter Abellio ScotRail has failed to meet 21 out of 38 of their performance targets, achieving only 45 per cent.

Performance was particularly poor on a number of key issues including security, station lighting and station toilet facilities.

As a result of these failings ScotRail have been fined £690,409 for last quarter, bringing the total cost of fines incurred during Abellio’s franchise to an eye-watering £14,384,453.

Commenting, local Dumbarton constituency MSP Jackie Baillie said:

“Abellio’s tenure operating ScotRail has been a shambles from the day the SNP handed the Dutch firm the keys to Scotland’s railways and the latest figures on fines show very little has changed in the last quarter.

“The SNP promised a world leading service but have failed to deliver.  Rail passengers who travel daily to and from Dumbarton, Helensburgh and Balloch, have had to put up with delays, cancellations, stop skipping, and short-formed trains not to mention being crammed into carriages like sardines.

“Particularly shocking is Abellio ScotRail’s failure to meet performance targets on vital issues such as security and passenger safety. They must urgently address these failings, when it comes to passenger safety there can be no excuse.

“I welcome the Scottish Government’s decision to listen to our campaign and the voices of local commuters to end the failing Abellio franchise of ScotRail, but we need to also see  a proper public sector bid to create a publicly owned ScotRail.

“I call on the SNP government to work with me and my colleagues in parliament in order to secure a proper public sector bid for Scotland’s railways. Together we can change track on rail ownership in Scotland and deliver a better service for local people.”

NOTES

SQUIRE performance – Q3 2019-20 https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/46717/squire-q3-2020-overall-performance-percentage-figures.pdf