SNP must make trains a priority after thousands of cancellations revealed

20 Dec 2018

The SNP has been told to take action on Scotland’s railways, after it emerged there have been more than 35,000 cancellations since 2011.

Scottish Conservative interim leader Jackson Carlaw demanded improvements, adding that the train network must be “fit for purpose” in 2019.

He also revealed that, in the last eight years, ScotRail have suffered 16,087 full cancellations, and 19,493 part cancellations.

However, at First Minister Questions today, Nicola Sturgeon claimed she wanted even more powers over rail, despite not being able to deliver on what was currently devolved.

Mr Carlaw also criticised consecutive transport ministers, first Humza Yousaf and then Michael Matheson, for failing to act on train failures despite “tough talk”.

Scottish Conservative interim leader Jackson Carlaw said:

“Punctuality on our trains is at its worst in more than a decade, and thousands of cancellations have been revealed.

“Train passengers are owed an apology from the SNP for this disgraceful level of service.

“But instead of giving passengers a break, the SNP government has waived sanctions that would have punished operators for missing targets.

“It’s classic SNP – it talks tough, then two years down the line takes no action to actually sort things out.

“All the while passengers are waiting on platforms, trains are late, and millions of pounds are lost to the Scottish economy.

“The SNP government needs to get Scotland’s rail network fit for purpose for 2019.”