Scotrail admit they’ve let you down – but chances of compensation are next to zero
Letter from Scotrail to Jackie Baillie MSP.
By Lizzie Healey
Dumbarton and Lomond MSP, Jackie Baillie, has demanded a better train service for the people of Dumbarton, the Vale of Leven and Helensburgh after performance figures revealed that less than half of trains arriving at Helensburgh Central and Balloch arrived on time.
Passengers travelling from Dumbarton, Balloch and Helensburgh have experienced a particularly poor service over the last few months. Trains have been consistently delayed or cancelled with a number of passengers missing work, college, university and even hospital appointments.
The local MSP has continuously raised the issue with the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Michael Matheson, and ScotRail’s Managing Director, Alex Hynes, highlighting both individual experiences and the wider problem.
Ms Baillie also asked the train company to introduce half price travel for passengers travelling to and from the area for the month before Christmas. ScotRail have refused to offer discounted travel, stating that passengers can claim for a delay.
Jackie Baillie said: “Scrooge is alive and well this Christmas at ScotRail’s headquarters. People travelling from Dumbarton, Balloch and Helensburgh have experienced an unreliable train service for months and ScotRail is not providing compensation in all cases.
“My constituents have been late for work, college, university and even hospital appointments and the latest performance figures show that less than half of trains arriving at Balloch and Helensburgh Central arrive on time, and Dumbarton’s performance isn’t much better with just 56% of trains arriving on time between 11 November and 8 December.
“I will continue to pursue this issue in the New Year until services improve. In the meantime, I would encourage all passengers whose trains are cancelled or delayed to make sure that they claim through ScotRail’s delay repay scheme and if you encounter problems doing so then just get in touch and I will act on your behalf.”