All change for Scotland’s railways after weeks of chaos

SCOTRAIL launched its new timetable today, after weeks of chaos for passengers.

But politicians and watchdogs remained sceptical, fearing that the recent problems that have dogged the service will not be completely ironed out.

ScotRail says staff training – which was partly responsible for causing the delays and disruptions countrywide – is still “ongoing”.

Scottish Labour’s transport spokesperson, Colin Smyth, said: “The news that training is continuing will be greeted by a collective groan from Scotland’s hard-pressed rail passengers.

“The new timetable will be treated with a very heavy dose of scepticism by commuters until they physically see their train stop at the platform.

“ScotRail have had months to plan the roll out of these changes but it couldn’t have been more shambolic.”

Calling for a fares freeze, he said: “To add insult to injury, passengers will be hit hard in the pocket with yet another fare hike in the new year.”

ScotRail says the new timetable will deliver faster journeys, more seats and more services.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of watchdog Transport Focus, said to regain trust, passengers will “need to see lessons have been learned.”

Jane Ann Liston, of campaign group Railfuture, said: “We are optimistic until proved wrong about the efficiency of the new ScotRail timetable.”

£218m train speed plan to be scrapped

It’s likely that plans to spend £218 million to cut rail journeys across Tayside and Fife will be scrapped.

This comes after a report claims the work will result in just “mere seconds of improvement”.

The project to upgrade the infrastructure was effectively scrapped at a recent meeting of the Transport Scotland reference group who are overseeing the project. The planned upgrade of the line at Usan near Montrose was first suggested 10 years ago.

Trains have to slow down to allow each other to pass along the one-and-a-half mile section of single track between Usan and the South Esk viaduct at Montrose Basin.

The stretch has been blamed for causing uncompetitive Dundee to Aberdeen rail times for 15 years.