I AM unhappy to confirm that the issues of irregularity concerning ScotRail's undependable west coast line you recently reported are real and disgraceful (“ Anger as rail service to remote station is cancelled”, The Herald,
On Saturday morning as part of a coachload of hopeful hill climbers deposited at Bridge of Orchy, I found myself deprived of the means of getting to Corrour for a day's outing due to a train cancellation. The next train would not be arriving until nearly 3pm around four hours later. Had this occurrence been due to an accident or some other “act of God” then it would be forgivable, but no: apparently the massive organisation was short of a driver.
On a route such as the Clydebank/Singer line I had learned to get used to trains not turning up, but at least if the service is half-hourly one had only 60 minutes or so to hang about, and there was always the option to rescue the situation using a bus. How different on the west coast line where the time between trains can be four or six hours during the day. Heaven help the poor travellers already at Corrour, where they were presumably stranded with no other way out. Awaiting the last train out that may not turn up doesn't bear thinking about.
The heavily-laden tourists slapping midges must have been mightily impressed with our Scottish rail system as they forlornly walked down from Bridge of Orchy station to puzzle what to do next.
Can I suggest that the man management team at ScotRail put their heads together and ask themselves the question: "How could we best manage a situation where, on an important scenic rail route over which we wax lyrically on our website, a driver is suddenly unavailable?" I'll give them a clue to start them off : well-paid standby staff.
Terry McGeary,
108 Carnegie Hill, The Murray, East Kilbride.
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