Almost 6,000 trains have been cancelled by ScotRail in the last four months, the Scottish Conservatives can reveal today.
Figures obtained via a Freedom of Information request have revealed that between April and July 2024, 5,774 ScotRail trains were either fully or partially cancelled.
The FOI response also revealed that cancellations in those months have cost the nationalised rail company over a quarter of a million pounds in compensation payments to passengers.
This means that since ScotRail was nationalised by the SNP in 2022, over £1.9million has now been paid out in compensation due to delayed or cancelled services.
News of the “endless” number of cancellations comes after the SNP confirmed this week that they would be ending the scheme which saw the removal of peak fares. Passengers have also endured cuts to services throughout the summer period.
Scottish Conservative shadow transport minister Graham Simpson described the number of cancellations as “eye-watering” and urged the SNP’s transport secretary to urgently “get a grip on the chaos” on Scotland’s railways and deliver the reliable service the SNP promised with nationalisation over two years ago.
Scottish Conservatives shadow transport minister Graham Simpson MSP said: “This eye-watering number of cancellations wholly exposes the monumental failures of the SNP since they took control of Scotland’s railways.
“In the last few months alone, passengers have had to endure close to 6,000 trains being either fully or partly cancelled which is completely unacceptable.
“These endless cancellations fly in the face of Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP promising a bright new dawn for passengers two years ago and this situation shows no sign of improving any time soon.
“On top of currently having to deal with cuts to services, passengers found out this week that they will be hit by huge price hikes as of next month.
“These cancellations not only make passengers late for work, appointments or meeting family and friends, but they also hit the taxpayer in the pocket, with compensation payments since nationalising now close to £2 million.
“The SNP’s transport secretary needs to get a grip on the chaos on Scotland’s railways and urgently ensure that the affordable, reliable and sustainable ScotRail that was promised by the SNP in 2022 is finally delivered.”
Notes to editors
Over 5,000 ScotRail trains have been cancelled since April. Scottish Conservative research reveals that 5,774 ScotRail trains have been cancelled in the 2024-2025 financial year. This is made up of 3,874 trains fully cancelled and 1,927 part cancelled. (Freedom of Information response, available on request)
Over a quarter of a million pounds has been paid out in compensation to rail passengers since April. Data reveals that £254,083.54 has been paid out from ScotRail to passengers due to delayed or cancelled trains. Broken down by month this was; £47,343.68 (1-27 April), £57,868.20 (28 April – 25 May), £66,607.49 (26 May -22 June), £82,264.17 (23 June -22 July). (ScotRail, 20 August 2024, link).
Two million pounds has been paid out in compensation to rail passengers since April 2022. Data reveals that £1,959,429.87 has been paid out from ScotRail to passengers due to delayed or cancelled trains. (ScotRail, 20 August 2024, link).