Tory MSP Jamie Greene says there is a lot of discussions around who owns the railways.

Mr Greene argues that even if David MacBrayne took over tomorrow, the same issues would remain to be faced.

What makes you think things would be run any better, he asks.

That's why we want to look at all of the options, replies Mr Matheson.

He says no-one would seriously argue Scotland has the optimum model for running the railways.

SNP MSP Richard Lyle says millions of pounds are being invested in Scottish railways.

"Why don't we take it back under public control?" he asks.

Mr Matheson says the Scottish government is to look at a public sector-run railway but things are changing with the ongoing Williams review.

"We can't just take back control of it because we don't have the powers to be able to do that."

All we can do at the moment is bid for an existing franchise, he explains.

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Green MSP John Finnie asks what the contractor of last resort looks like.

Bill Reeve, the director of rail with Transport Scotland, explains shelf companies are maintained in case they are needed.

This will allow us to take over as operator of last resort, elucidates Mr Reeve.

It would entail the transfer of all but a number of managers from the existing company and seeking new boss, he says.

SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson asks about an operator of last resort, and Mr Matheson confirms legal arrangements are in place which are regularly reviewed.

Bill Reeve from Transport Scotland confirms there are shelf companies ready should they be required.

That is standard operating practice for us, he adds.

Turning to public ownership, Mr Stevenson seeks assurances that it won't be awarded to CalMac because they already have a lot in their in-tray.

We have secured the right to a public sector bid for a franchise and David MacBrayne is the only public body that has expressed an interest so far, replies Mr Matheson.

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Mr Smyth asks what exactly in the remedial plan will ScotRail have to breach and by how much before the government considers terminating the plan.

Mr Matheson says ScotRail goes into default if the targets are not met.

At that point the Scottish government can consider termination, but the decision will be dependent on what the reason for the default is he explains.

If it becomes clear ScotRail is incapable of delivering on the contract, then we will look at termination he states.

ScotRail were clear this morning they won't meet the March 2021 figure says Mr Smyth.

When will the March 2021 target be met presses Mr Smyth, as ScotRail does not believe it will meet it.

Mr Matheson accepts there will be challenges and they should meet the target in the Donovan review, external.

Committee convener Edward Mountain intervenes to say the question was "when do you expect them to meet the target".

The minister replies:"I expect them to meet the target set out in the Donovan review period 13 2020-2021."

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Labour MSP Colin Smyth says Mr Matheson said ScotRail would reach its 92.5% target by period 13, 2021, and are on track to achieve that.

Mr Matheson concedes he may have caused some confusion as he used the Donovan review figure yesterday rather than the figure in the remedial plan.

The correct figure is the target will be met by period 13 in 2021-22.

My apologies for not providing accurate information, says the minister.

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Mr Chapman says ScotRail Alliance will put in £18m for improvements and asks if the Scottish government will put any more cash in.

No, replies the minister, adding that all £18m is from Abellio.

Green MSP John Finnie asks what would happen and when if Abellio does not meet the contractual requirements set out on the remedial agreement.

If the remedial plan is not met, Abellio ScotRail will go into default at which point the Scottish government can decide whether to terminate the contract earlier Mr Matheson explains.

Tory MSP Peter Chapman asks about monitoring procedures for performance.

The transport secretary says there will be regular meetings and he is appointing an expert to provide independent oversight.

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Tory MSP Jamie Greene says it is the case that Network Rail is the third party in the ScotRail Alliance, which is accountable to the minister.

Mr Matheson says in terms of Network Rail that is not the case.

Mr Greene goes on to say infrastructure failures have caused only 2% of the PPM failures.

The cabinet secretary argues in terms of infrastructure failures causing delays and cancellations, 50% of them are due to infrastructure failures.

"It's not a case of trying to blame one or the other."

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Spending on the day-to-day running of Scotland's rail network is set to increase.

The money is designed to improve the performance of track and signalling, as well as reduce delays.

The spending is part of a long term investment plan for Scotland's railways which now see more than 100 million passenger journeys a year.

Over the next five years the budget for track maintenance and renewal work alone will rise by 21%.

SNP MSP Richard Lyle highlights delays outwith the control of ScotRail and asks what is being done by the minister to manage Network Rail's performance.

Both bodies have their part to play in performance and looking at only one of them will not deliver improvements, Michael Matheson explains.

The new chief executive of Network Rail has agreed to devolve more of the management of Scottish routes he says, though ultimately Network Rail is accountable to UK ministers.

"So we fund something that we've got no control over?" asks Mr Lyle.

The minister reiterates Network Rail is not accountable to him.

SNP MSP John Mason asks how much of the problems lie with ScotRail management and how much with teething problems like the late arrival of rolling stock.

"Which problems are you referring to?" asks Mr Matheson.

The cabinet secretary says the delay in the arrival of Hitachi and Wabtec trains has had an impact and is down to them.

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Mr Mason asks if this would have happened if the railway had been publicly owned.

"It's not about public or private," says Mr Matheson.

However in terms of the timetable changes ScotRail "got it wrong", he adds.

He says the remedial plan will address issues around this.

The challenges we face now are not just to a lack of resources from the Scottish government, the transport secretary insists.

With the additional rolling stock, the measures from the Donovan review, external and the remedial plan should improve performance but it must be sustained, he states.

Mr Rumbles asks about the role of Mr Matheson in the development of the remedial plan.

It was submitted to Transport Scotland by ScotRail who then had the opportunity to review it, Mr Matheson says.

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Mr Matheson says even with improvements, people on the east coast are not seeing them which is why the remedial plan must address these matters.

He says he met with the Abellio bosses in January expressing concerns about performance to date.

"I've made it very clear to them, that the remedial plan is an opportunity for them to get this right.

"If they don't it could have serious consequences for them."

He says he has also asked for independent oversight of ScotRail's performance going forward.

• Borders Railway overcrowding at 'acute level' 18 February 2019
• Thousands of ScotRail services axed due to staff shortages
• ScotRail services hit by West Lothian signal fault

Image source, Getty Images

• ScotRail customers facing problems collecting pre-paid tickets
• Borders Railway overcrowding at 'acute level'
• Thousands of ScotRail services axed due to staff shortages

Image source, bbc

• ScotRail passenger satisfaction falls to 16-year low
• Abellio could lose ScotRail contract
• ScotRail 'rip-off' rail fares condemned as tickets increase by 2.8%

Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles suggests that ScotRail MD Alex Hynes "seemed to be in denial" about performance levels.

"They have completely, unacceptable performance levels."

I'm "somewhat shocked" by Alex Hynes attempt to say it wasn't that bad, he states.

Are you confident Abellio will deliver the required level of services Mr Rumbles asks.

I'm very clear that performance has not been good enough, replies Mr Matheson.

As well as the remedial plan, wider work is being undertaken on the network he adds.

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MSPs begin the second evidence session on the ScotRail remedial order quizzing Transport Secretary Michael Matheson.

Mr Matheson reminds the committee he asked Transport Scotland to issue a remedial notice due to unacceptable cancellations in the east of the country.

The cabinet secretary says ScotRail's excuses are of no consolation to passengers who experience a "woeful" service.

The remedial plan extends to May 2020 and it will take this time to recover, he explains.

However ScotRail can only achieve this by acting now and the first minister has made it clear ScotRail are in the last chance saloon, he insists.

Image source, SNS/PA

ScotRail has unveiled a £18m plan to try and improve its performance for passengers - formally known as the ScotRail Remdial Plan.

Leasing three extra trains and hiring more staff - including 55 drivers and 30 conductors - is part of the bid to improve its service.

The plan was demanded by Scottish government after months of disruption to rail services.

The remedial strategy will also see information screens upgraded at 16 stations.

Transport Secretary Michael Matheson told the chamber yesterday ScotRail could be stripped of its franchise if it fails to meet the targets in its remedial plan.

Staff shortages have caused the cancellation of thousands of ScotRail services since April last year.

Read more here.

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How many trains have skip-stopped in the last week asks Mr Mountain.

I do not have that information, Mr Hynes replies.

Mr Mountain highlights the practice was continuing, despite commitments to stop it.

The ScotRail MD says skip-stopping must only be used as a last resort, as suggested in the Donovan review.

It is down 85% he insists.

"Are you satisfied in the last week that you've cut skip-stopping?" asks Mr Mountain.

I'm satisfied we've implemented the Donovan recommendations, Mr Hynes says.

On that note, the session draws to a close.