ScotRail enjoys best performance since Abellio took over

ScotRail achieved its best performance in more than two years last week as around 95 per cent of trains arrived within five minutes of their scheduled time.
It was ScotRail's best performance since Abellio took over the franchise. Picture: John DevlinIt was ScotRail's best performance since Abellio took over the franchise. Picture: John Devlin
It was ScotRail's best performance since Abellio took over the franchise. Picture: John Devlin

A total of 95.4 per cent of services hit the industry performance target between Sunday June 25 and Saturday July 1, the highest since the Dutch parent firm Abellio took on the 10-year franchise for the country’s trains in April 2015.

However, Labour said more detailed data showing fewer than half of trains arrived on time at 19 stations across Scotland is “frankly unacceptable”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
More than 95 per cent of trains were on time last week. Picture: John DevlinMore than 95 per cent of trains were on time last week. Picture: John Devlin
More than 95 per cent of trains were on time last week. Picture: John Devlin

An analysis of 73 terminal stations between May 28 and June 24 found trains at around three-quarters were on time 50 per cent of the time or more, while the remainder were not.

The worst performing of these stations was Milngavie in East Dunbartonshire, which had only 26 per cent of services arriving on time, while Alloa was the best with 91 per cent of trains arriving punctually.

Scottish Labour transport spokesman Neil Bibby said: “These latest results may have a positive headline figure, but the devil is always in the detail.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The fact that fewer than half of services arrive on time at 19 stations is quite frankly unacceptable.

More than 95 per cent of trains were on time last week. Picture: John DevlinMore than 95 per cent of trains were on time last week. Picture: John Devlin
More than 95 per cent of trains were on time last week. Picture: John Devlin

“Public satisfaction with ScotRail is at a 14-year low and passengers are losing patience with Transport Minister Humza Yousaf’s failure to act. They are fed up with overcrowded, delayed and cancelled trains.

“Humza Yousaf cannot allow a repeat of the chaos that blighted the rail network last autumn and winter, and that means getting on top of performance when weather is better during the summer months.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The railway firm faced heavy criticism for late and cancelled trains last year amid ongoing major improvement works, with campaigners calling for Abellio to be stripped of the franchise.

Transport Scotland ordered the ScotRail Alliance to put an performance improvement plan in place last September after performance slipped below a contracted threshold, which it rose above in March.

Perry Ramsey, operations director at the ScotRail Alliance, said: “The most recent figures show that last week, 95 per cent of trains in Scotland were on time. That’s the best performance since April 2015, which shows that the ScotRail Alliance continues to deliver for passengers all across the country.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“But there is no complacency here. We know that any delays can be frustrating for passengers, and that’s why we will continue to work hard every single day building the best railway Scotland has ever had. The investment we are making just now will ultimately mean faster trains, more seats and better services.”