THE Scottish Government has put plans in place to run the railways as an "operator of last resort" if ScotRail's performance fails to improve, the Transport Secretary has confirmed.
Michael Matheson said the current Abellio ScotRail franchise could be terminated if it fails to deliver on the remedial plan it was issued with earlier this year.
He said ministers had "ongoing plans in place" in case the Scottish Government needs to step in.
Matheson said: "We have ongoing plans for putting in place the provision for operator of last resort, we've got various contracts with consultants and agencies who would support us in delivering that if that was necessary.
"We have arrangements and contracts in place that if we had to employ operator of last resort we would be in a position to be able to do so."
READ MORE: ScotRail issues apology for poor performance
READ MORE: ScotRail faces backlash after tweeting that off-peak fares are discounted
In February, ministers handed ScotRail its second improvement notice in less than two months after passenger satisfaction plunged to its lowest level in 15 years.
Matheson told MSPs on Holyrood's Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee the rail operator was making "good progress in a range of different provisions that were set out in the remedial plan".
But he cautioned: "Some of the benefits that will come from the remedial plan will take longer to be delivered, purely because of the complexity of these issues.
"The recruitment of an extra 55 drivers is not something they can do overnight, it takes time for them to go through the recruitment process, the training process and to get route knowledge."
He stressed the "consequences of failing to deliver on the remedial plan and to get out of breach is very serious for the franchise plan holder".
The Transport Secretary said this could result in ministers terminating the franchise "which would allow us to employ operator of last resort".
Matheson was giving evidence to MSPs a week after ScotRail boss Alex Hynes told the committee a review planning for major events was taking place after passengers faced significant disruption to services at Edinburgh Waverley last month.
He said the disruption experienced by passengers then was "completely unacceptable" as the rail service was "overwhelmed by the demand that was placed on it".
The minister added: "We need to look at what lessons can be learned from the events that particular evening."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel