Brian Whittle MSP has attacked the SNP for its failure to prevent “crippling” cuts to rail services across Scotland.
Scotrail has introduced a new timetable with almost 700 fewer services in response to an ongoing dispute with drivers about pay and working hours.
Since the SNP took control of Scotland’s rail services on the 1st of April, Scotrail and drivers have been at loggerheads over salaries and the need for some drivers to regularly work on overtime and rest days as a result of staff shortages.
In Ayrshire, more than a quarter (28%) of services have been cut with fewer trains running and last trains being moved forward by hours. On the Glasgow-Kilmarnock route, the last train is now 19.33 instead of 23.13.
Businesses and rail travellers are up in arms at the changes, making it difficult for commuters to reliably travel by train and many hospitality businesses concerned about a loss of evening trade.
South Scotland MSP Brian says it’s up to the Scottish Government to take responsibility for the railway they now own and challenged the SNP to act to restore services.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“The SNP’s takeover of Scotrail is over to the worst possible start and they seem unwilling to step in and sort their mess out.
Scotland needs a rail service that meets the needs of its passengers, not one that limps along with too few services.
These cuts have a serious impact on businesses and passengers, making commuting and travel for leisure more difficult, not to mention all those who rely on later trains to get home from concerts or other large events.
The Scottish Government were quick to promise a better rail network when they took over, but they haven’t even managed to keep them at the level they were at.
Instead of urging the parties to get round the table, the Scottish Government should recognise that they are one of the parties that needs to get round the table and get Scotland’s rail services back on track.”
