Rail chief: Glasgow-London trains may be cut

Published on Monday 16 November 2009 21:29

THE head of the government's newly nationalised rail franchise last night defended controversial plans that could include cutting train services between London and Glasgow.

Elaine Holt, the chief executive of publicly owned operator East Coast, revealed that the company could offer the Edinburgh to Glasgow section of the line to another operator.

Her comments came after it emerged on Sunday that East Coast – which took over the route from cash-strapped National Express last Saturday – will raise some of its off-peak fares by 5 per cent, well above the rate of inflation.

Confirming reports that the operator was in talks with "passengers, the government and other stakeholders" about the possible route cut, Mrs Holt last night defended the company's decision, saying that part of the route was not heavily used.

She said: "It is an option to not run the east-coast services over to Glasgow, and if the service is taken away then another operator will step in and do those services.

"There are only six services a day (on the Glasgow to Edinburgh route] and they are very lightly loaded. The decision is just about making best use of the railway.

"Scottish customers can expect to benefit from improved cleanliness in our toilets and improved food in first class, as well as the removal of the 2.50 per person seat reservation charge."

Mrs Holt said that rumours about the company cutting trains to Aberdeen were "urban myths", adding: "I can confirm that the issue is not in the plans at all."

She also pledged 500,000 to upgrade Waverley station in Edinburgh.

The option to cut the service between Glasgow and Edinburgh has caused controversy among passenger groups, with First Minister Alex Salmond labelling the decision "deceitful".

Robert Samson, Scotland manager of rail users group Passenger Focus, said: "We continue to pressure the government and industry for some reassurances that this vital passenger service will continue into the future.

"Passengers are less concerned about which train company runs this service, but they will want trains connecting Glasgow and the north-east of England."

Government-backed East Coast took over the main line at 11:59pm last Friday after the previous franchise owner, National Express, revealed earlier this year that it no longer wanted to run the service.

National Express had been struggling with the East Coast franchise since it was revealed that the 1.4 billion it originally paid to run the line in 2007 was unsustainable.

The franchise agreement was for seven years and was due to expire in 2015. But in July, National Express announced that "due to the unprecedented impact of the recession" it would be handing back the franchise early.

Part of the East Coast profits will go to the government. Rail bosses are keen to put the franchise out to tender in 2011.

A spokesman for Transport for Scotland said: "Ministers have made it clear they are not supportive of a withdrawal of existing cross-border rail services."