Travellers’ plight
My experience is that both organisations are adept at adopting obfuscatory views of the reality that passenger misery exists on long-distance services because of the inadequacy of Scotland’s trains.
In the real world, these narrowest of views are unrealistic. But their adoption means that we, the travellers, are victims of Transport Scotland and First ScotRail pigeon- holing themselves, each separate from the other, and from us passengers.
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Hide AdIt’s also unrealistic for First ScotRail to lay so much emphasis on “customer care” (its frequently used words) when the reality is that we passengers endure long-distance travelling conditions that only a sardine might envy.
Anyone travelling long distances on First ScotRail recognises the words “customer care” for their hollowness of ring.
It doesn’t add up, and at the crux of the matter lies Transport Scotland, unelected and uncommunicative.
It is Transport Scotland which ultimately advises MSPs on transport matters, and it is Transport Scotland which lays down the rules to First ScotRail. Transport Scotland is the tail that wags Holyrood.
Time now, with a franchise approaching, for MSPs to take action on the accountability of Transport Scotland.
Meanwhile, First ScotRail could do us passengers a long-owed favour and bark upstairs to Transport Scotland about our plight.
Gordon Casely
Crathes
Kincardineshire