Not chuffed

They certainly can’t be the same ones that we long-distance travellers want to ask about the utterly inadequate trains operated by First ScotRail; and about whose inability to serve passenger comfort First ScotRail has  flatly refused to raise with Transport Scotland.

We’re told that 88 per cent of 1,000 travellers polled by Passenger Focus are “happy” with Scotland’s national train operator. Who are these 88 per cent?

They certainly can’t be the same people I see crammed daily into the poorest quality rolling stock in Europe used on long- distance services.

Nor can they be the same people who agree with incoming rail franchisee Abellio’s assessment that the existing ScotRail trains “are better suited to suburban than long-distance journeys”.

As a result, Abellio promises “real” trains on Scotland’s inter-city routes, trains synonymous with comfort and high-quality travel, and trains that offer adequate toilet accommodation, luggage space, room for bikes, golf bags and leg room.

In other words, exactly all the amenities so completely lacking in today’s ScotRail fleet.

Gordon Casely

Crathes

Kincardineshire