I have written to Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop MSP calling on urgent action to deal with ScotRail’s ongoing timetable chaos as ScotRail announce further cuts to services this weekend without replacement bus service cover for all impacted routes.
ScotRail advised customers to check journeys on the day before travelling as services are impacted on routes including: Glasgow – Alloa; Edinburgh – North Berwick; Glasgow – Newton; Edinburgh – Tweedbank; Glasgow – Cumbernauld; Glasgow – Lanark; and Wemyss Bay – Whinhill.
This is in addition to the already in place emergency timetable that reduced services due to a shortage in drivers and as extra services are being put on for travellers going to and from Troon for the Open Championship.
The situation is utter chaos and is highly damaging for the customers, the economy, and for the future of rail and public transport more generally.
The Transport Secretary must get all stakeholders concerned around the table to find a way forward through the immediate issues and in the longer term build the workforce needed to deliver the rail service Scotland deserves.
I have already been concerned about the reduced timetable that ScotRail issued in light of a shortage of drivers, but this has now descended into utter chaos.
I have written to the Transport Secretary to make clear that this situation requires urgent action, and all involved should be brought to the table to find a way forward through the immediate issues as this is unacceptable.
With two huge sporting events happening this weekend, the Open Championship and Rangers playing Manchester United at Murrayfield, this would be the ideal time to have a fully functioning public transport system that would allow fans to leave their cars at home and enjoy the events in a more sustainable way.
Unfortunately, while extra services have been put on to and from Troon, this has come at the expense of everyday travellers across Scotland who are being advised to check their journeys a day in advance by ScotRail – this is simply not acceptable, and our rail services cannot continue to run like this.
Alongside the immediate issues, the Transport Secretary must work with all stakeholders in the longer term to ensure that we build the workforce we need to deliver the rail service Scotland deserves.
