ScotRail blasted for outdated Glasgow fleet as £400k paid for delays

New data obtained through a freedom of information request has revealed the city's rail passengers are relying on outdated trains and carriages manufactured in the mid-eighties - with thousands of pounds paid to passengers in compensation.

The statistics, obtained by the Scottish Liberal Democrats through a freedom of information request, revealed that the firm has forked out more than £400,000 in payments to travellers for delays during the first six months of Scottish Government ownership.

The trains with the longest continuous use are Class 318s - used on the Glasgow Suburban line - which were built in 1986 and entered service the same year. The data also found that Class 156s have served the West Highland and Glasgow Suburban lines since 1989 and that some carriages in use as part of the Scotland fleet date back to 1976.

Jill Reilly (Image: Supplied)

Scottish Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson Jill Reilly said: “ScotRail is relying on rolling stock that almost dates back to the age of steam. Old carriages and trains have a place on the service, but it does raise questions about how well capital investment in Scotland’s trains has been handled over the years and whether reliance on old trains has been allowed to impede on operational efficiency.

“Delays are not just costing passengers, but the government as well and that money should be available for updating trains and carriages.

“Commuters and rail users need a quality service that they can rely on if we are to tempt people out of private cars, not one that feels like travelling back to the seventies.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats are committed to delivering a public transport system that works for all communities, for all ages, and for the climate. That’s why we want to see fares cut, new options for two/three-day a week season tickets and for the government to work with councils to explore new lines, particularly in areas where public transport links are poor.”

However, ScotRail hit back at the claims and says it remains committed to the Scottish Government’s Decarbonisation Action Plan which will see all diesel trains taken out of service over the next 15 years.   

Between 2014 and 2019, Scotland’s railway electrified 325km of the country’s central network. This investment supports the introduction of a new £475 million fleet of upgraded trains, including 70 faster, greener, modern electric trains.

Already, 76 per cent of passenger journeys across Scotland are on electrified services, such as  Edinburgh to Glasgow via Falkirk High and via Cumbernauld and Edinburgh/Glasgow to Stirling-Dunblane-Alloa. 

David Simpson, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, said: We’re continually working to deliver a cleaner, greener railway for Scotland, making it more and more attractive for people to leave their cars at home and use public transport.

“Although rail is already a low-carbon mode of transport, we are committed to reducing our environmental impact even further.  

“The massive projects that have been delivered so far – the electrification of the Central Belt, new electric trains - mean more seats and faster journeys for our customers, as well as a rail service that is better for our environment. This plan will deliver even more for our passengers in the decades to come.

“It connects people with jobs, business with customers, tourists with destinations, and it’s delivering a railway of which we can be truly proud.”

A Transport Scotland spokesman added: "ScotRail’s current fleet is that inherited from the private operator, Abellio in April 2022.

“All of the ScotRail Trains Ltd. fleet is currently owned by third party rolling stock leasing companies. Public ownership of ScotRail provides Transport Scotland with the opportunity for the previous approach to rolling stock procurement to be reviewed.

“The Scottish Government is committed to a rolling programme of decarbonisation and with that we are looking at how we can introduce new fleets such as electric and alternative powered trains. This will enable us to replace the existing diesel fleet with more environmentally friendly trains that attract even more people out of their cars. Any new fleet represents a significant investment therefore we must ensure they provide value for public funds.”

Some trains can last around 35 to 40 years, which can be extended in a sustainable manner through appropriate re-engineering work.