CONFUSION reigned last night over the future of ScotRail amid trade union claims that Abellio, the Dutch owner of the train franchise, could abandon the business.
The chaos began when Manuel Cortes, leader of the TSSA transport union, claimed SNP Transport Minister Humza Yousaf had said that Abellio could “hand back the keys” of the franchise during recent talks.
However, Yousaf’s spokesman blasted the claim as “completely and utterly incorrect”. Yousaf’s office said the minister’s remarks had been misrepresented. Abellio also released a statement denying it was on the verge of pulling out, saying: “This is not and has never been part of our plans.”
The row has also sparked calls for Scotland’s rail service to be renationalised immediately.
Union officials claimed that Yousaf told them Abellio may walk away from its contract before it expires in 2025. The news came amid claims that running the franchise is placing a strain on the group’s profits.
Cortes said Yousaf repeatedly told his representatives at talks on November 23 that Abellio could abandon ScotRail. A source from another rail union who attended the meeting at Holyrood also confirmed that Yousaf talked about the firm quitting.
Abellio walking away from ScotRail would represent the most dramatic change in UK rail ownership in nearly a decade. In 2009, the then UK Labour Government took over the ailing East Coast mainline service after private operator National Express suffered massive losses. Last night, Yousaf faced calls to return ScotRail to state ownership along similar lines.
The minister was also urged to clarify his knowledge about Abellio’s plans. Cortes said: “It has been reported to me that during discussions on ScotRail’s future, Humza’s preference is for the current contract to take its course until 2025.
“However, on several occasions, he said he thought it was possible that Abellio could hand back the keys before then. Everyone involved in the franchise knows there are problems at the highest level. Just last month, I wrote to Humza asking him to clarify reports that there were bust-ups in the boardroom between Network Rail and Abellio’s senior team as tensions within their forced marriage boiled over.
“We know one thing about privateers running public services, they don’t do so from the kindness of their heart. If they can’t make big profits they walk away. Abellio should be kicked out of Scotland. They must not be allowed to plunder Scottish passengers more as they beat a retreat. Humza needs to come clean and tell us what he knows about Abellio’s plans.”
However, the SNP Government reacted angrily to the TSSA union claims.
Yousaf’s spokesman said: “These comments from the TSSA are completely and utterly incorrect.
“We fully expect Abellio to run the ScotRail contract to the end of the franchise. We are disappointed that the TSSA appears to be misrepresenting comments made in a recent meeting.”
Ministers have previously faced calls to strip Abellio of the ScotRail franchise that it took over in 2015 in a 10-year deal worth up to £6 billion but with the option to cancel it at the halfway point.
Yousaf was forced to apologise last winter to passengers following criticism of ScotRail over widespread disruption and rail fares.
The minister has insisted he will deliver on the SNP’s 2016 manifesto pledge to ensure a public-sector bidder is in place for railways when the contract comes up for renewal.
Last night, Yousaf’s spokesman added: “We are taking steps to ensure that a public-sector operator is able to bid for a future rail contract, and that there is a public-sector body able to do so.
“This will enable us to ensure the delivery of rail services in Scotland that deliver maximum economic and social benefit.”
Meanwhile, Abellio issued a statement, insisting it had long-term plans for Scotland’s railways.
An Abellio spokesman said: “We are investing £475 million in Scotland’s railways, the biggest investment since the Victorian era delivering more seats and faster journey times and better stations for passengers.
“These improvements are part of our 10-year plan to transform Scotland’s railway and we fully intend seeing this work through to completion when the franchise expires in 2025.”
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