ScotRail have paid out almost £2.5million in compensation to passengers since the SNP government nationalised it three years ago, the Scottish Conservatives can reveal today.
A Freedom of Information response to the party confirms that money paid out to passengers suffering delays has increased every year since Nicola Sturgeon brought Scotland’s railways under the control of the SNP.
Shadow transport secretary Sue Webber has described the figures as “eye-watering” and says they are a “damning reflection” of the SNP’s mismanagement of ScotRail.
She says since nationalisation passengers have paid a “heavy price” for train services that are frequently cancelled or delayed, with taxpayers left to pick up the bill.
Sue Webber added that the SNP’s failure to provide reliable rail services, as Nicola Sturgeon promised, will have done nothing to encourage Scots to ditch their cars and use the train instead.
Scottish Conservative shadow transport secretary Sue Webber MSP said: “The eye-watering level of compensation payments are a damning reflection of the SNP’s mismanagement of ScotRail.
“Nicola Sturgeon and her SNP colleagues promised a bright new dawn for Scotland’s railways when nationalising them three years ago, but the reality for passengers has been entirely different.
“They have had to endure endless cancellations and delays to services, yet fares have soared at the same time.
“Taxpayers are ultimately the ones who have picked up this bill for millions of pounds in compensation because of the SNP’s incompetence, and the tab is only heading in the wrong direction.
“SNP ministers love to try and encourage Scots to ditch their cars and onto trains but their failures will be doing nothing to achieve that.
“The nationalisation of ScotRail is another example of the SNP’s big state approach that fails to deliver value for taxpayers and is miserably failing to ensure passengers have trains they can rely on.”
Notes:
ScotRail entered public ownership in April 2022. Rail passenger services are now provided within the public sector, by public company, ScotRail Trains Limited, owned and controlled by the Scottish Government. (Transport Scotland, 18 February 2025, link).
Delay Repay provides compensation for rail delays. Delay Repay is a nationwide scheme that makes it easier for you to get compensation. If you are delayed for any reason when you travel on a participating National Rail service, you can claim Delay Repay. The delay is calculated against either the normal timetable, or an amended timetable that is published in advance. (National Rail, 18 February 2025, link).
ScotRail have paid out £2,495,426.28 in Delay Repay compensation since April 2022. £803,991.61 was paid out in 2022/23, £908,392.89 was paid out in 2023/24, and £783,041.78 was paid out in 2024/25 (to 12/02/25). (Scottish Conservative FOI, Available on request).
The amount of compensation paid out for 30-59 minute delays has increased every year since April 2022. £88,120.80 was paid out in 2022/23, £103,722.83 was paid out in 2023/24, and £107,969.42 was paid out in 2024/25 (to 12/02/25). (Scottish Conservative FOI, Available on request).
The amount of compensation paid out for 60-119 minute delays has increased every year since April 2022. £210,694.31 was paid out in 2022/23, £223,579.47 was paid out in 2023/24, and £227,714.44 was paid out in 2024/25 (to 12/02/25). (Scottish Conservative FOI, Available on request).
Over £1.5 million was paid out for 120+ minute plus delays since April 2022. £1,533,625.01 was paid out since April 2022. (Scottish Conservative FOI, Available on request).