End of the line for Abellio ScotRail contract
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TRAIN operator Abellio is to have its ScotRail contract terminated early, Scotland's transport secretary has said.
The Scottish Government announced today that Abellio’s tenure as ScotRail franchisee is to be ended and that a proposed subsidy rise would "not secure delivery of commensurate benefits to passengers".
Transport Secretary Michael Matheson told parliament that the franchise will come to an end in 2022, and will not be "rebased".
Dutch firm Abellio was awarded the 10-year contract in 2015 and has faced criticism over cancellations and delays.
Scottish Greens Highlands and Islands MSP John Finnie said Moray in particular had received poor rail service.
He said: "Scottish Greens welcome the decision to bring an end to the Abellio ScotRail franchise.
"Delays, cancellations and overcrowding have occurred far too often on Scotland’s railways in recent years, particularly in Moray.
"The Scottish Government must now ensure that a robust public sector bid is in place so that our railways can be run in the public interest in future, rather than for private profit as now.
"In light of noises coming from down south that the UK Government intends to attack hard-won rail workers rights, it’s also vital that Scottish ministers engage with trade unions at every step of the process in developing the next franchise, to ensure workers’ rights are at the heart of future ScotRail services, and that there is no attempt to roll out driver-only operation."
The government provides roughly two-thirds of the running costs for Scotland’s railways.
