WHEN Marianne Taylor exposed the appalling quality of our long-distance trains, she didn’t miss the target ("Greatest journey? West Highland trains are embarrassing", The Herald, July 29). I never tire of pointing out that not only is this the 30th year of local suburban trains being employed on what should be premier routes, but that Scotland owns the shameful record of operating the poorest-quality long-distance trains in Europe.
The fault for this lies squarely at the several feet of Abellio ScotRail (ASR), Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government.
Our trains are a disgrace, and how Marianne Taylor’s French friends described them on their West Highland odyssey says it all.
Yet what plans are there to improve them? Abellio ScotRail gained the franchise on endless promises that included tourist trains on top tourist routes. Result? Nothing. Other promises included simplifying the fares structures. Further result? Zero (it’s still more expensive to travel ASR Second Class Aberdeen-Haymarket than it is to take LNER First). Introduction of 125 High Speed Trains? Where are they?
Where stand Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government in all this?
As a journalist who possibly travels more than most, I find myself in a role where I have the temerity to expect that trains should be up to the job. Why on earth should any of us in 21st-century Scotland accept the second-rate? As a result, I’ve been exposing rail shortcomings for 30 years.
Neither ASR nor its predecessors, nor Transport Scotland like me, but I’m in the business of wanting trains fit for purpose. Whether I’m liked is immaterial.
I’ve frequently asked ASR for information on our incoming 125s, such as number of toilets per carriage, and number of bike spaces. The ASR response? Omerta.
Our existing trains serving our long-distance routes shame Scotland. We deserve better, and ASR, Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government should know better.
Gordon Casely,
Crathes,
Kincardineshire.
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