SCOTRAIL’S former private operator Abellio is continuing to make money from the train network despite its recent nationalisation, it has been revealed.
An investigation by the Sunday Mail uncovered that the Dutch firm is still making millions from contracts due to last for up to another three years.
It comes despite the Scottish Government stripping Abellio of the ScotRail franchise, warning the system was “no longer fit for purpose”.
Abellio still has a contract to run a customer service line, and provide payroll services. This contract is expected to last until 2023.
READ MORE: Union insists ‘ball is in ScotRail’s court’ to resolve train driver dispute
Other agreements for the provision of replacement transport and busses between Glasgow’s main transport hubs will be in place until 2023.
A spokesperson for ScotRail said: “The services provided by Abellio support key services for the continued operation of ScotRail, including rail replacement during times of disruption and engineering work, station tenancy and advertising, as well as customer service correspondence support and payroll services.”
The news came as ScotRail’s scaled-back Sunday timetable came into effect. The organisation said the temporary timetable would “provide greater certainty and reliability for customers”.
Around a third of daily services had already been slashed as the network struggles with a shortage of drivers.
About 50% of trains were cut on Sunday, with just 556 of the usual 1088 services expected to run.
The pay dispute between drivers and the company continues, leading to staff refusing to work rest-days. The national executive committee of train drivers’ union Aslef last week rejected a 4.2% pay rise offer, as inflation looks due to rise to 10% in the coming months.
The union has warned that members will be balloted on industrial action if ScotRail doesn’t come back to the negotiation table.
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