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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Abellio ScotRail contract to be ended early | Abellio ScotRail contract to be ended early |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Transport Secretary Michael Matheson has confirmed the Abellio ScotRail contract is to end early, in 2022. | Transport Secretary Michael Matheson has confirmed the Abellio ScotRail contract is to end early, in 2022. |
| The Dutch operator has been running the service since 2015 but has faced criticism over cancellations and performance levels. | The Dutch operator has been running the service since 2015 but has faced criticism over cancellations and performance levels. |
| The firm was contracted until 2025, but Mr Matheson said a so-called "break clause" would be used to end the franchise in March 2022. | The firm was contracted until 2025, but Mr Matheson said a so-called "break clause" would be used to end the franchise in March 2022. |
| He told MSPs he was looking at other options, including the public sector. | He told MSPs he was looking at other options, including the public sector. |
| There had been political pressure on ministers over the service provided - with Labour highlighting a high number of cancellations, overcrowding and the cost of tickets. | There had been political pressure on ministers over the service provided - with Labour highlighting a high number of cancellations, overcrowding and the cost of tickets. |
| In a statement to the Scottish Parliament, Mr Matheson said a proposed increase in government subsidy for the service would not deliver sufficient benefits to passengers or the economy. | In a statement to the Scottish Parliament, Mr Matheson said a proposed increase in government subsidy for the service would not deliver sufficient benefits to passengers or the economy. |
| Mr Matheson said Abellio had "successes and challenges" over the first five years of the ScotRail franchise | Mr Matheson said Abellio had "successes and challenges" over the first five years of the ScotRail franchise |
| He said: "I believe that the decision I have advised the parliament of today, in respect of the ScotRail franchise, is the right one for passengers, communities, the economy and taxpayers." | He said: "I believe that the decision I have advised the parliament of today, in respect of the ScotRail franchise, is the right one for passengers, communities, the economy and taxpayers." |
| "It is of course necessary to plan for the future provision of ScotRail services and I can confirm that work is already under way to examine the options open to the Scottish ministers after the current contract comes to an end. " | "It is of course necessary to plan for the future provision of ScotRail services and I can confirm that work is already under way to examine the options open to the Scottish ministers after the current contract comes to an end. " |
| 'Wrong choice' | 'Wrong choice' |
| Dominic Booth, managing director of Abellio UK, said the firm was "hugely disappointed" by the decision and that it was the "wrong choice for Scotland's Railway and its customers". | Dominic Booth, managing director of Abellio UK, said the firm was "hugely disappointed" by the decision and that it was the "wrong choice for Scotland's Railway and its customers". |
| He said: "Abellio has invested more than £475m in new and upgraded trains, added 23% more seats for customers and created more than 500 extra jobs in Scotland since the start of the franchise in 2015 - the biggest investment in trains and stations in over 150 years. | |
| "Our offer to Transport Scotland would have delivered an improved service for our customers at a reduced cost to the taxpayer." | "Our offer to Transport Scotland would have delivered an improved service for our customers at a reduced cost to the taxpayer." |
| But Scottish Labour welcomed the decision, which follows a campaign by the party to end the franchise early. | |
| 'Shambolic performance' | |
| Colin Smyth, the party's transport spokesman, said: "For years Scottish Labour have campaigned to end Abellio's shambolic spell in charge of Scotland's railway. | |
| "Twice Scottish Labour have forced votes on Abellio's control of Scotrail and time and time again we have been voted down by the SNP, ably supported by the Tories." | |
| "What we now must know is if the Scottish government intend to make a serious public sector bid for control of ScotRail or whether our railways will be flogged off once more to a foreign-based private company, focused only on profit." | |
| Mr Symth said "nothing less" than a publicly-owned rail system would deliver an efficient and reliable public transport system. | |
| Scottish Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Mike Rumbles said: "Passengers are sick to the back teeth of the poor service that has been provided by this company. | |
| "Overcrowding, endless cancellations, stop skipping and delays have gone on too long. | |
| "The government must now take action to make sure that there is stronger protection for customers in the future franchise agreement." | |
| Mr Rumbles also called for the inclusion of more break points in the new contract to ensure there is a much better chance to addressing poor performance earlier. |