ScotRail: STUC urges 'change in direction' over management
ScotRail was returned to public ownership on April 2022 for the first time in 25 years.
However, since then, the rail union says it has concerns over its management including around the plans to cut ticket office hours at 101 of 143 staffed stations and the scrapping of the off-peak fares pilot despite evidence the trial increased passenger demand.
Scottish ministers scrapped higher rail fares on a trial basis in an effort to attract more passengers after the pandemic, setting the target of a 10% rise in passengers.
Yet the pilot was ditched within a year despite footfall rising by 6.8%.
In April this year, rail fares increased by 3.8%, meaning an anytime return ticket between Glasgow and Edinburgh rose by £1.20 - from £31.40 to £32.60
Read more:
Scotland's trains: On the right track? – Find all articles here
ScotRail still needs a plan three years after nationalisation
Hyslop: Cost of rail fares in Scotland 'challenging'
The motion which will be discussed at congress states: 'That this Congress notes that whilst it welcomes that Caledonian Sleeper and ScotRail are in public ownership which can ensure tax and fare payers money can be invested to improve the railway instead of being siphoned off for private profit, Congress is concerned the Scottish Government's management of rail in Scotland has undermined the objective of a safe, affordable, reliable and accessible railway for all."
The motion goes on to say that congress should agree to campaign to ensure the Scottish Government addresses these concerns and develops a safe, affordable and properly-staffed railway.
Commenting on the issue, the STUC's deputy general secretary told The Herald the Scottish Government must reconsider its direction of travel when it comes to their management of ScotRail.
Dave Moxham, STUC's deputy general secretary said: 'It's clear that workers have reached the end of the line with eye-wateringly expensive train services. We welcome the fact that ScotRail and the Caledonian Sleeper are under public ownership but to realise a vision for railway travel in Scotland to be accessible, affordable and reliable, the Scottish Government must change direction.
'That means, first and foremost, scrapping peak fares for good. The Government's short-sighted, regressive and frankly backwards step in scrapping the off-peak pilot, despite their own analysis showing it was working, was hardly keeping their climate targets and public transport goals on the right track. Ministers must also show Scotland's workers that they will keep the swathe of ticket offices across the country open and accessible to the public whilst also continuing to prioritise fully staffed services across the rail network."
The motion which will be discussed during the congress also criticised the UK Government and Network Rail for what it describes as a 'failure' to protect jobs in the railway supply chain.
It also urges congress to agree to work on a "campaigning response" to the UK Government's integrated GB rail network, which will manage the network infrastructure and take over contracts from private firms as they expire, essentially replacing Network Rail.
The motion states delegates should agree to pushing the UK Government on ensuring the creation of GBR significantly increases and enhances powers for the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government over rail services in Scotland.
Mr Moxham said it is important that the new network introduced by the Labour government "does not hit the buffers".
He added: 'To assist, the UK Government must ensure that their plans for a fully integrated rail network – Great British Rail – does not hit the buffers. We support this move, but it must prioritise people, passengers and planet. It cannot be piecemeal. GB Rail must herald the start of a fully integrated, funded and resourced rail network in Scotland that crucially ensures our Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government have the powers and funding they require to sustain this vision for modern railway travel."
Transport Scotland has been contacted for comment.
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