The Scottish Government chose to nationalise Scotrail so they must take responsibility for the mess it’s in. That’s the stark view of Brian Whittle MSP who spoke out following rail bosses announcement that train services across Scotland would be slashed by a third thanks to an ongoing pay dispute with drivers.
Rail passengers will see a drastic reduction in services during the day with last trains between Ayrshire and Glasgow now hours earlier than normal. The changes are the latest development in an ongoing dispute between the rail operator and the train drivers union over pay and hours worked. Scotrail have been reliant on drivers choosing to work overtime and so-called “rest days” on higher pay to fill gaps in staff rotas. However, drivers are now refusing to take on these additional hours as their union argues for higher salaries. A fully qualified Scotrail train driver earns over £51,000 a year.
The Scottish Government took over operation of the railway from the last franchise holder Abellio earlier this year promising lower fares, and improved services.
Scottish Conservative MSP Brian has urged both Scotrail and the unions to reach a solution and challenged the Scottish Government to put passengers first.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“I’m not sure rail users will have much sympathy for either side in this dispute. Scotrail seem to have been relying on drivers working overtime rather than recruiting more staff and many rail passengers who earn far less than train drivers will find the disruption to their travel hard to justify.
The SNP have talked for years about how they’d deliver better rail services by nationalising the trains but so far all we’ve seen on their watch are reduced services and industrial action. The Scottish Government wanted control of the railways and now they’ve got it, it’s their responsibility to resolve this mess.
The south west needs a decent rail service and that means a timetable that works for passengers. The Scottish Government must step up and resolve this dispute so Scotrail can focus on improving rail services, not cancelling them.”
