ScotRail and First bus services to be reduced as demand plummets

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

ScotRail said it was looking at “various options” after passenger numbers “dropped dramatically” this week. Picture: John Devlin

The move came as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon repeated to MSPs the advice that people should “use public transport as little as possible”.

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”.

ScotRail said it was looking at “various options” after passenger numbers “dropped dramatically” this week.

Significantly fewer ScotRail services run on Sunday than around 2,400 on other days.

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”.

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.

“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.”

The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), which represents bus and coach operators, said others 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 running a full timetable.

Interim managing director Nigel Serafini said: “At present we are operating a full service across Edinburgh and the Lothians. We have introduced heightened cleaning measures, including more enhanced cleaning of the main customer touch points such as hand poles and grab rails.”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.”