New figures reveal that ScotRail train and station facilities have continued to improve in recent months.
The Service Quality Incentive Regime (SQUIRE) report released today (Friday, 19 October) by Transport Scotland has shown that ScotRail services improved by 10 per cent from Quarter 1 (1 April – 23 June 2018) to Quarter 2 (24 June – 15 September 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 contributes to the SQUIRE investment fund.
The new figures published today reveal that SQUIRE charges imposed by Transport Scotland have fallen from £1,092,458 at the end of Quarter 1 to £982,057 by the end of Quarter 2 – a reduction of 10 per cent. This confirms that the standard of ScotRail trains and stations continues to improve.
All money raised through the SQUIRE investment fund is reinvested into projects across Scotland’s railway.
ScotRail recently rolled out 34 vital defibrillators to some of the busiest stations on its network, bringing benefits to the communities it serves. The sooner a patient receives treatment, the better their chances are of surviving a cardiac arrest, so having these defibrillators close to hand will potentially have a huge impact.
Major car park resurfacing work is also taking place at 24 stations across the network between now and the end of March.
This summer, ScotRail 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 introduction of the first of the Class 385 and high-speed Inter7City trains, which boast better on-board facilities, including power sockets at each pair of seats, free WiFi and improved food and drink service.
ScotRail also recently announced a £4m front line recruitment drive to further improve the service customers receive.
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 new and refurbished trains, in station facilities, and in our people – is part of our plan to build the best railway Scotland has ever had.
“This year we have delivered major milestones across Scotland’s railway – including the introduction of the first iconic high-speed Inter7City train, our brand-new Hitachi Class 385 electric trains, the opening of the redeveloped Dundee Station, and significant station improvements on the Edinburgh-Glasgow route.”