Coronavirus: ScotRail services could be cut to Sunday levels

ScotRail and bus operators are planning to cut services because of a “dramatic” drop in demand, perhaps to Sunday levels.

ScotRail runs far fewer trains on Sundays. Picture: John Devlin

The move follows the Scottish Government last night urging people to “avoid using public transport as much as possible” because of the coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak.

FirstGroup, Scotland's biggest bus operator, said it was also planning to cut services, which could start from next Monday.

West coast ferry operator CalMac said its services were under “constant review” and “tough decisions may have to be taken very soon”.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon repeated the travel advice to MSPs this afternoon by saying people should “use public transport as little as possible”.

ScotRail, the largest of six train operators in Scotland, confirmed it was looking at “various options”.

It said: “Passenger numbers have dropped dramatically over the last couple of days.”

However, a full service is operating today and is also planned for the next few days.

Plans for train timetables are being co-ordinated by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which includes operators.

An industry source said: “We are looking at a range of scenarios.

“The drop in passenger numbers has been steep.”

Significantly fewer ScotRail services run on Sunday than around 2,400 for the rest of the week.

London mayor Sadiq Khan said today its bus and Tube network could be scaled back to a Saturday or Sunday service, or curtailed even further.

RDG chief executive Paul Plummer said: “Our priority is ensuring our services meet the needs of the country.

“That means both keeping a close eye on demand and taking measures to ensure services can continue to run.”

An RDG spokesperson added: “If people are travelling by train and need to cough or sneeze, they should make sure they follow the public health advice to ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’.

“If people have symptoms and need to travel home, try to keep away from other people.”

Bus cuts could come ‘as early as Monday’

First Bus Scotland, the main operator in Glasgow and Aberdeen, said it had seen a 20 per cent reduction in passenger numbers this week.

It said changes to services would be made in phases and have to be notified to the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland, “but there could be reductions as early as Monday”.

The firm said the scale of the cuts had yet to be decided: “We are having to plan for all scenarios depending on Government advice/restrictions on travel.”

Managing director Andrew Jarvis said: “We are working with Government, local authorities and partners to reassess demand for our services in the light of the latest advice.

‘We expect to have to make changes’

“Whilst doing our utmost to maintain services for our customers, we do expect to have to make changes to our timetables as the situation evolves.

“We recognise the importance buses play in our customers' lives, not least in making sure that those who need to make essential journeys, like health service and emergency workers, can continue to do so.”

The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), which represents bus and coach operators, said other firms were likely to do likewise.

It said bus patronage had fallen by 15-20 per cent over the last week.

Scotland director Paul White said: “There will be reductions, but the scale we do not know yet.”

However, he expressed concern that any prolonged school closures along with the cancellation of coach tours could force some operators out of business, leaving some pupils without transport when the schools resumed.

Lothian, Edinburgh’s main bus operator, said it was still operating its full timetable.

Interim managing director Nigel Serafini said: “We are continuing to take advice from the Scottish Government and CPT and at present we are operating a full service across Edinburgh and the Lothians, delivering essential services to the many people who rely on us every day.

“Our vehicles are cleaned externally and internally on a daily basis.

“However, in response to this situation we have introduced heightened cleaning measures including more enhanced cleaning of the driver’s cabs and main customer touch points such as hand poles and grab rails.

“We will continue to keep our customers up to date via our website and social media channels, and would encourage customers to plan their journey in advance using our app.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our teams across the business who are continuing to deliver a fantastic service, ensuring that we can meet the travel needs of our customers.”

CalMac said it would maintain current services “as far as we can”.

However, it has still to make a final decision over whether to press ahead with its summer timetable of extra sailings, which is due to start on Monday.

The firm has plans to ensure “lifeline” routes are protected where there are no alternative road or air links.

This “route prioritisation matrix” would give priority to such islands if CalMac’s operations have to be curtailed, such as from large-scale staff sickness.

In extreme circumstances, this could involve freight-only sailings or supplies being dropped by aircraft.

However, Glasgow City Council’s 713-strong cycle hire scheme said it continue to operate.

Krysia Solheim, managing director of operator nextbike UK, said: “Current evidence shows that the Covid-19 virus doesn’t survive for long in the open air, meaning using a nextbike is considered a reasonably low-risk way of getting around.”

Join our Facebook group Coronavirus in Scotland. Whether you know of a vulnerable person who is in need of help, a local community proactively helping others or a group offering their services to those hit hardest, this is the place to communicate it.