SCOTTISH Labour are targeting frustrated commuters in the election with a promise to kick out the current ScotRail operator and replace it with public ownership.

Leader Richard Leonard joined workers from the TSSA and Aslef rail unions in Glasgow during the morning rush hour to publicise the plan.

Labour has promised to strip Dutch-owned Abellio of the 10-year franchise after a series of problems, including around 50 cancellations a day since it took over in 2015.

Activists leafleted commuters in Glasgow Queen Street, Linlithgow, Motherwell, Lockerbie, Kirkcaldy and Edinburgh Haymarket on Monday.

Mr Leonard said: “MSPs had the chance to end the ScotRail franchise just two months ago - but the Tories and the SNP joined forces to vote down Scottish Labour’s motion.

“ScotRail passengers know that the failed privatisation experiment must end now. Labour is the only party going into this election with a plan to bring our railways back into public ownership and build a transport system fit for the future.”

Labour candidate Paul Sweeney, who is defending Glasgow North East, also met workers from the Caley railway works in Springburn, to protest the continued closure of the site.

Mr Leonard added: “It is a disgrace that the Caley, once a jewel in the crown of Britain’s railway infrastructure, was allowed to close earlier this year. The SNP’s managed decline of Scotland’s industry has thrown skilled workers onto the dole queue, and left Scotland sending trains for repair south of the border.

“We need a publicly-owned railway network with the capacity to build and maintain its infrastructure and rolling stock.”

ScotRail has said its recent performance is improving.