Stirling SNP politicians have described the Scottish Government’s move to take ScotRail into public ownership as ‘bold’.
An arms-length public sector body, owned and controlled by the Scottish Government, is expected to run the rail service from March 2022, it was announced this week.
The franchise had been run by Dutch company Abellio since 2015, but following criticisms over cancellations and performance levels the Scottish Government temporarily nationalised the service a year ago.
Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford said: “Stirling is hugely proud of its railway heritage and connections, with great interconnectivity from us to all corners of Scotland. This bold move by the SNP Scottish Government will help bring about welcome stability and certainty to staff, commuters and passengers in Stirling and beyond.
“The SNP have long argued that the future structure of Scottish railways should be in Scotland’s hands.
“The ball is now firmly in the UK government’s court to devolve the other necessary rail powers to Holyrood.”
Trossachs and Teith councillor, and the party’s candidate to replace Mr Crawford as Stirling MSP in May’s Holyrood election, Evelyn Tweed said: “This is really welcome news from our SNP Scottish Government, helping secure the future of Scotland’s railways and keep us on track to a greener, fairer and more sustainable public transport system fit for the future.
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“The news that current ScotRail staff will transfer to the new Scottish Government owned company, with terms and conditions protected, will also provide much-needed security to those who help keep our railways running smoothly.”
Mid Scotland and Fife Conservative MSP Dean Lockhart, and the party's candidate to contest the Stirling constituency this May, said the Scottish Government’s “incompetent” handling of the overdue and over-budget Cal Mac ferries project “should make commuters and tax payers extremely worried at what lies ahead”.
