TRAIN drivers have called on the Scottish Government to release an improvement plan for Scotrail amid complaints of chronic overcrowding and delays.
ASLEF, the train drivers union, claims frontline staff are being put at risk from commuters due to the company's poor performance.
The government issued an improvement notice to Scotrail on September 17, the results of which are yet to be published.
Kevin Lindsay, ASLEF’s organiser in Scotland, said: "It’s high time the Scottish government let us know what is going on and published the improvement plan.
"There is nothing to be gained by keeping it secret and we think passengers, and staff, have a right to know when we can expect to see improvements.
"Full details of the improvement notice – including what penalties Abellio is facing because of its poor performance – should be published.
"Remember Abellio is making £1 million profit a month from passengers on Scotrail."
Transport Scotland said it intends make the improvement plan put forward by Scotrail publicly available in the near future and strongly refuted any suggestion that it is being kept from the public.
A spokeswoman for the body said: "information on performance has always been available and indeed we have provided this on numerous occasions through parliamentary questions, Freedom of Information and our website."
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf added: "We are committed to delivering a rail service with that puts the interests of passengers front and centre, this includes offering value for money along with reliable and punctual services.
"ScotRail’s performance this year has not been at the level the Scottish Government demands and expects which is why I have taken decisive action in calling for the operator to deliver an improvement plan outlining how they will improve passenger services going forward.
"Transport Scotland and Scottish Ministers will be working closely with the franchisee to monitor delivery of this plan and ensure its targets are met."
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