ScotRail disruption payments top £2.1m

Scottish Liberal Democrats have today revealed that since the nationalisation of the ScotRail franchise, the service has paid out more than £2.1m in delay repay payments and almost £75,000 in accommodation costs for passengers whose trains have been cancelled or delayed.

Passengers whose trains are delayed by more than half an hour can make delay repay claims. Figures for delay repay payments are typically published by ScotRail with a six-month lag, however figures acquired by Scottish Liberal Democrats reveal that up to the end of October 2024, £2,104,474.50 was paid to passengers for late trains. This includes a passenger who reclaimed a massive £670.60 for a single booking.

The party also asked ScotRail for the accommodation costs of people whose trains were cancelled or delayed. This revealed that ScotRail has spent a total of £74,670.27 on accommodation payments since the service was nationalised. This included racking up £22,015.17 between April and September 2024.  

Scottish Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson Daniel O’Malley said:

“Ministers have been directly responsible for the trains for two and a half years, but they barely seem to know if they are coming or going.

“Not only is that a source of huge frustration for commuters and holidaymakers, but it's cost the public purse more than £2.1m. And that doesn’t cover those who haven’t applied for a refund - there may be thousands more who have been similarly inconvenienced, but they’ve just not claimed.

“For the sake of hard-pressed taxpayers, the SNP Government needs to get these payments under control. Likewise, if we are to tempt people out of private cars, they need a reliable and frequent rail service.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats are committed to delivering a public transport system that works for all communities, for all ages, and for the climate. That’s why we want to see reliable trains, new options for two/three-day-a-week season tickets and for the government to work with councils to explore new lines, particularly in areas where public transport links are poor.”