West Coast Main Line
(Services)
5. Emma Harper (South
Scotland) (SNP)
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with
Transpennine Express,
Network Rail and ScotRail regarding the reported frequent
cancellation of rail services on the west coast main line,
particularly impacting travellers using rail services at
Lockerbie station. (S6O-01098)
The Minister for Transport
()
Rail services that are run by Avanti West Coast and Transpennine Express stop at
Lockerbie railway station. They are cross-border rail operators
that are managed by the Department for Transport, although
Transport Scotland participates in regular cross-border operator
task force meetings.
For the first part of this year, Transpennine Express
services in particular have been impacted by Covid-related issues
and industrial action. However, recent performance data shows an
improvement since February. I can advise that Transpennine
Express has increased calls at Lockerbie from this week and is,
broadly, offering customers an hourly service northwards and
southwards on weekdays.
Emma Harper
Passengers need assurance that services will be available and on
time. I know that the Scottish Government does not have control
over Transpennine Express, but
does the minister agree that the sooner rail is fully devolved,
the quicker we can provide certainty to passengers who are
travelling to and from Lockerbie station?
Emma Harper is right that we need certainty about travelling and
which services are operating for passengers. We heard that when
the previous question was discussed.
Ms Harper is also right that full devolution of rail powers is a
long-stated aim of the Government, as it would bring track and
train together and ensure that we have the levers that we need to
create a sustainable rail service in the future. However, in the
meantime, passengers must be reassured that alternative options
are available during times of disruption.
The Lockerbie services are not ScotRail services. I will raise
the issue directly with the United Kingdom rail minister when I
meet her next week, and officials will follow up with operators
what we can do to help to improve on people’s recent experience
of the services.
Colin Smyth (South
Scotland) (Lab)
This is the worst train service in Britain, and there is a fair
bit of competition for that title. The problems are not new;
passengers from Lockerbie station have been treated as second
class since the franchise began. When the minister meets her UK
counterpart, will she join me in calling for an end to the failed
franchise and for it to be brought under new management?
I will certainly raise some of the issues that Mr Smyth has
alluded to regarding his constituents’ experience of the service.
Sue Webber (Lothian)
(Con)
I have a suggestion that the minister might find will focus the
Government’s mind. Will she make a commitment that, for every day
that there is rail strike disruption, the ministerial limos will
remain parked, in solidarity with ScotRail passengers—yes or no?
The Deputy Presiding
Officer
Before the minister tries to respond to that, I say that I do not
think that that supplementary is relevant at all. I appreciate
that Sue Webber wishes to conflate the two issues. If the
minister wishes to respond, please go ahead.
No, Presiding Officer—I do not see the relevance of that
supplementary question at all.
Stephen Kerr (Central
Scotland) (Con)
No wonder.
The Deputy Presiding
Officer
Mr Kerr, perhaps we could have comments through the chair. Thank
you.
