ScotRail pay out six-figure compensation sum to Moray rail passengers since nationalisation
Over £120,000 has been paid out in compensation to passengers using train stations in Moray since ScotRail was nationalised in 2022, it has been revealed.
A Freedom of Information request sent by Conservative MSP Douglas Ross confirmed that £124,068.54 has been paid out to passengers who have suffered delays or cancellations while using Moray train stations since April 1, 2022.
Broken down, the figures reveal that £78,500 has been paid out to Elgin passengers, £23,760 for those at Forres and £21,808.68 paid to Keith passengers.
The response also confirms that over 8000 trains at the three stations have been delayed in departing, while a further 7580 have been delayed in arriving.
A total of 1218 trains have been cancelled, including 650 Forres services and over 400 at Elgin.
However, ScotRail say that around nine out of ten services run on time adding that sources of disruption, such as adverse weather, are unavoidable.
Mark Ilderton, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, said: “We know how frustrating it is when delays or cancellations occur, and when that does happen, it is only right that compensation is paid to customers who experience disruption to their journey.
“Through our Delay Repay Guarantee, anyone delayed by 30 minutes or more is entitled to claim money back through the ScotRail website or mobile app.
“We are absolutely committed to delivering the best possible service for customers throughout the country, and everyone at ScotRail is working hard to deliver the safe and reliable railway that our customers expect and deserve, and to encourage more people to travel by train instead of using the car.”
The Scottish Government said in 2022 that nationalising ScotRail provided an “opportunity to modernise” adding that it would create a service that is more “efficient, sustainable, safe and fit for the future”.
But Mr Ross insists that the figures revealed through the FOI request show that passengers are being “short changed”.
He said: “These significant payouts fly in the face of what ministers promised when nationalising ScotRail.
“Hard-pressed passengers at Elgin, Keith and Forres are continually seeing trains cancelled or delayed and ultimately taxpayers are having to foot the bill for these compensation payments.
“Rural passengers who rely on these stations are being short-changed by SNP ministers.”
Mr Ross added: “Ministers need to urgently deliver reliable services, rather than asking passengers in Moray to pay through the nose for services that far too often are cancelled or delayed.”
