ScotRail’s train and station facilities have consistently improved in recent months, new figures published by Transport Scotland have confirmed.
The Service Quality Incentive Regime (SQUIRE) report released today (Friday, 3 August) has shown that ScotRail services have improved from April 2018 to June 2018.
SQUIRE is used by Transport Scotland to assess facilities on ScotRail trains and at stations.
If something is found during routine SQUIRE inspections that does not meet the expected high standard, ScotRail contribute to the SQUIRE investment fund, which is then reinvested into projects across Scotland’s railway.
The new figures published today reveal that SQUIRE charges imposed by Transport Scotland have fallen from £448,820 in April 2018 to £351,308 by the end of June 2018 – a reduction of 22 per cent. This confirms that the standard of ScotRail trains and stations is improving.
This summer, ScotRail has made significant station improvements along the Glasgow-Edinburgh route funded by SQUIRE, resulting in the former waiting areas at Croy, Falkirk High, Polmont, and Linlithgow being transformed into ScotRail lounges.
These improvements were ahead of the recent introduction of the first of the Class 385 trains, with better on-board facilities, including power sockets at each pair of seats, free WiFi, and accessible toilets in every train.
The SQUIRE fund was also used to invest in more than 300 body-worn cameras, to improve the safety of ScotRail employees and customers.
David Lister, ScotRail Alliance Sustainability and Safety Assurance Director, said:
“We know there is a lot of work still to be done, but these figures confirm the progress ScotRail is making. The investment we are making - in station facilities, on our trains, and in our people – is part of our plan to build the best railway Scotland has ever had.
“This summer we have delivered major milestones across Scotland’s railway – including the introduction of our brand-new Hitachi Class 385 electric trains, the opening of the redeveloped Dundee Station, and significant station improvements on the Edinburgh-Glasgow route.”
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The full SQUIRE details can be found on the Transport Scotland website .