Posted 1st April 2023 | 2 Comments

RMT calls on Scottish First Minister to keep ScotRail public

The RMT is urging the new Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf to keep his promise that ScotRail stays in public ownership.

The private sector contract to run ScotRail had been held by Abellio, and it was terminated a year ago when the Scottish Government exercised a break point in the contract, which could have lasted until March 2027.

During his successful election campaign Mr Yousaf had said: ‘Bringing ScotRail and Sleeper Services into public hands was as much about energy as it is about building a safe, reliable, and accessible public transport system then. It is the belief of the SNP that a successful just transition relies, in part, on the public ownership of our rail. For that reason alone, I will commit categorically to keep Scotrail and Sleeper Services in public ownership.’

The Caledonian Sleeper contract held by Serco is due to end on 25 June.

The RMT is also calling on the First Minister to increase services to pre-pandemic levels, investing in infrastructure and ending any cuts to jobs.

The union’s general secretary Mick Lynch said: ‘The certainty provided by the new First Minister that ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper will remain in public ownership is very welcome and means all revenue can be reinvested in improving Scotland’s railway.

‘The First Minister must also improve rail access and connectivity by increasing funding for infrastructure by reversing cuts to ScotRail services.

‘We are also keen that he will act swiftly on Transport Scotland's report on improving safety of women and girls on public transport by ensuring adequate staffing levels and no closure of ticket offices on Scotland's railway stations.’

Reader Comments:

Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.

  • Harper (Kenneth John), Kelso

    Given the bad relations between Scotrail Management and Transport Scotland, and the track record of Transport Scotland, I expect further erosion of income and eventually cuts. The railway will only grow if the economy grows and yet the SNP's chosen partner The Scottish Greens are committed to shrink the economy. Eventually without a reversal of policy the Scottish Government will have to make choices like cutting the railway or cutting the NHS. The Union if it wants to protect its members needs to campaign for economic growth and support political parties who support growth (maybe even the Tories).

  • david C Smith, Bletchley

    Nationalisation is only one form of public ownership ; most of the old nationalised businesses didn't turn out to have the superior qualities that had been expected , and the public ended up paying extra taxes to cover losses, rather than receiving profits.

    The railways encompass quite a diversity of activities, some of which are natural monopolies needing to be in public hands, whilst others are suited to competitive private operation.

    Scotland might have the central belt services under public ownership , with a
    at least some opertions on a more "open access"basis outside the central belt, on main line service.

    i am reminded of the succes Sectorisation had with a more"horses for courses" approach , reflecting the diversity of railway operations.