First ScotRail fined £576,000 over service standards

First ScotRail received increased fines over train cleanliness and graffiti but there was an improvement in areas such as station graffiti

First ScotRail was fined £576,000 for failing to meet strict standards on providing services in its last year as holder of the ScotRail franchise, according to a new report.

Inspectors found improvements in areas such as station graffiti and shelters.

But First ScotRail received increased fines over train cleanliness and graffiti.

The fines covered the 12-month period to 31 March, when the new Abellio-ScotRail Franchise started.

The penalties were imposed under the Service Quality Incentive Regime (Squire), which rewards or penalises the ScotRail franchise holder according to its performance.

First ScotRail was owned by FirstGroup, which operated the ScotRail franchise from October 2004 until March this year.

'Achievements recognised'

Responding to the report, a FirstGroup spokesman said: "In 11 years of operation, First ScotRail invested more than £82m in Scotland's railways, delivering increased frequencies, upgrades to trains and stations and increasing the number of passengers by 34%.

"Customer satisfaction with First ScotRail was at 87% in the spring 2015 National Rail Passenger Survey - seven points higher than the national UK average, and five points higher than when we took over the franchise.

"Our achievements were recognised by the industry as First ScotRail was awarded the title of Rail Operator of the Year three times in the last six years."

'Rigorous assessment'

Minister for Transport Derek Mackay said: "Squire is commonly recognised as one of the most rigorous and effective method of performance assessment for any rail franchise in the UK.

"I am confident that the system of penalties and rewards which are awarded through Squire is very effective at driving up the standard of Scotland's railways, a fact which is repeatedly borne out by the National Rail Passenger Survey (which) time and again places ScotRail above the UK average in terms of passenger satisfaction and performance.

"Transport Scotland are continuing to work with the new franchise holder to ensure that these high standards are upheld, that management are focusing on addressing the issues that are most important to the public, and that we continue to run a safe, clean and reliable rail service across the whole of Scotland."