ScotRail has been accused of planning cuts to vital services by axing the pre-pandemic timetable.
A leaked document shows the train giant wants 300 fewer services than before covid struck.
In an angry statement, the Aslef, RMT, TSSA and Unite trade unions hit out at the cuts agenda: “It is incredible in the year that the world comes to Scotland to debate the very future of our planet ScotRail is proposing cuts to the rail services in a transparent attempt to use the pandemic as cover for cuts.
“These plans would not only cull jobs, they would hit hardest on the most vulnerable people within society including elderly and disabled people. All the while diverting many passengers back onto the roads and increasing pollution, congestion and greenhouse gases.”
Scotrail, run by Dutch firm Abellio, has faced accusations of rip off train fares and poor service since taking on the franchise.
Public anger is likely to rise when the operator unveils a consultation today on a new “value for money” timetable for May 2022.
ScotRail currently operates around 2000 services per weekday, down from 2,400 before coronavirus.
According to the “confidential” document, the ScotRail proposal is not to go back to the pre-covid level:
“We are proposing a new timetable operating around 2,100 services per weekday as the foundation to encourage a return to public transport following the pandemic.”
Analysis in the document, called ‘Fit for the Future’, claimed that before coronavirus there were “significantly” more seats provided on trains than were required:
“Under five and a half million passenger journey miles were completed on a typical weekday, which was just 23 per cent of the available number of seats.
“In other words, seats were empty for 77 per cent of the distance that was travelled.”
The report claimed “over-capacity” varied across the network and cited the North Electric Line and the Argyle Line as being among the poorest performers.
It said returning to the pre-pandemic timetable would increase emissions and result in a bill of up to £40m for the taxpayer.
ScotRail also said there had been a shortfall between revenue and operating costs of £243.5million in 2019/20.
The four unions blasted the plan in the run up to Glasgow hosting COP26:
“It is exactly this type of short-term thinking that has contributed to the climate crisis. We need a railway where trains are regular, reliable and affordable with services properly staffed.
“It is this model of high-quality dependable service that will encourage car drivers onto our trains. ScotRail’s proposals will achieve the opposite.
“Scotland deserves a world-class rail service supported by the Scottish Government that helps us meet our historic duty to cut emissions and tackle the climate change that threatens our very existence.”
Labour MSP Monica Lennon said: “Reducing the number of daily train services compared to before the pandemic is bad for the public and our planet.
“It’s astonishing that ScotRail is spinning proposals for a reduced timetable as ‘fit for the future’ on the eve of world leaders arriving in Glasgow for the COP26 climate crisis summit.
“SNP ministers need to get a grip of these disastrous proposals.”
Scottish Conservative MSP Graham Simpson said: "The pandemic has undoubtedly had a major impact on our rail services as we were told to stay at home and not use public transport. However, rail users will be shocked by the scale of these proposals and I'd encourage them to make their views known.
“As we rebuild from the crisis, we want more people to use public transport. There is a real danger that some of these cuts will force people into their cars instead.
“Significant money was given to Scotrail during the pandemic and these potential cuts must not now be a direct result of SNP Ministers wanting to claw back some money.
“That would be a dereliction of duty as the SNP Government prepares to take over the running of the railways next year."
Alex Hynes, Scotland’s Railway Managing Director, said : “Scotland’s Railway is committed to delivering a service that is safe, reliable, green, and clean.
"Our job is to keep people moving and connected to business, leisure, and education while meeting the expectations of our customers.
“The pandemic has changed how people travel across all of Scotland so our services will reflect these varied travel patterns and deliver timetables that are reliable, have enough capacity to meet pre-COVID levels of demand, and are sustainable.
“We are consulting on the timetable changes being proposed and we would welcome the views of our customers.”
Graeme Dey, Minister for Transport said: "Organisations up and down the country are reflecting on how they can provide great customer service while at the same time ensuring their businesses are fit for the future. Rail is no different and that is why it is essential ScotRail review changes in travel patterns across Scotland so that timetables best meet demand.
“This consultation exercise offers a real opportunity for customers and businesses to help shape a reliable and responsive timetable change from May 2022. I would encourage anyone with an interest to share their views.”
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