Please find included a package of embargoed press releases to
cover the Christmas and New Year period here. A folder of
embargoed audio clips can be found here.
Scottish Liberal Democrats have today revealed that since the
nationalisation of the ScotRail franchise, the service has paid
out more than £2.1m in delay repay payments and almost £75,000 in
accommodation costs for passengers whose trains have been
cancelled or delayed.
Passengers whose trains are delayed by more than half an hour can
make delay repay claims. Figures for delay repay payments are
typically published by ScotRail with a six-month lag, however
figures acquired by Scottish Liberal Democrats reveal that up to
the end of October 2024, £2,104,474.50 was paid to passengers for
late trains. This includes a passenger who reclaimed a massive
£670.60 for a single booking.
The party also asked ScotRail for the accommodation costs of
people whose trains were cancelled or delayed. This revealed that
ScotRail has spent a total of £74,670.27 on accommodation
payments since the service was nationalised. This included
racking up £22,015.17 between April and September 2024.
Scottish Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson Daniel
O'Malley said:
“Ministers have been directly responsible for the trains for two
and a half years, but they barely seem to know if they are coming
or going.
“Not only is that a source of huge frustration for commuters and
holidaymakers, but it's cost the public purse more than £2.1m.
And that doesn't cover those who haven't applied for a refund -
there may be thousands more who have been similarly
inconvenienced, but they've just not claimed.
“For the sake of hard-pressed taxpayers, the SNP Government needs
to get these payments under control. Likewise, if we are to tempt
people out of private cars, they need a reliable and frequent
rail service.
“Scottish Liberal Democrats are committed to delivering a public
transport system that works for all communities, for all ages,
and for the climate. That's why we want to see reliable trains,
new options for two/three-day-a-week season tickets and for the
government to work with councils to explore new lines,
particularly in areas where public transport links are poor.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The results of the Scottish Liberal Democrat freedom of
information request on delay repayments and accommodation costs
for passengers whose trains have been cancelled or delayed can be
found here.
More information on ScotRail's delay and repay payments can be
found here.
