RAIL passengers in Scotland are more satisfied with their train services than passengers south of the Border, a survey has found.

The independent National Passenger Survey revealed nine out of 10 ScotRail customers are satisfied with their rail services, eight percentage points ahead of the UK average for train operators.

The poll also revealed ScotRail, which operates 95% of all train journeys in Scotland, was rated more highly than UK train operators in 33 of the 36 categories, including how well delays are dealt with.

ScotRail achieved its highest-ever scores for providing enough room for passengers to sit and stand, and for the availability of staff at stations.

Steve Montgomery, ScotRail's managing director, said: "Passenger numbers continue to grow so providing more space for people to sit and stand is a focus for us."

The findings contrasted with a poll by Passenger Focus which found passenger satisfaction among UK rail users was dipping.

Nationally, the percentage of passengers satisfied with their journey overall was currently 82% compared with 83% in a similar survey in spring 2012, while the figure in an autumn 2012 survey was 85%.