Latest news with #GordonMartin
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
ScotRail news, interviews and updates on the railway operator
Scotrail is a publicly owned, nationalised rail service operated on by The Scottish Government and overseen by Scottish Rail Holdings Limited. The train service was returned to public ownership in April 2022 after The Scottish Government ended its ten-year contract with Abellio three years early. The Dutch state-owned railway company had been awarded the franchise in 2015 to run until 2025, but the deal was cut short following criticism over cancellations and performance. The contract was worth more than £7 billion, according to the BBC. Read on for all the latest ScotRail news, interviews and updates. As reported by The Herald, here is a selection of the latest ScotRail news stories. Scot Gov declines to reveal cost of Intercity bids process ScotRail warning ahead of Far North Line improvement works ScotRail: Glasgow Central trains face disruption amid issue On-peak travel is generally between 06:00 and 09:15, and 16:30-18:00. Always check with ScotRail before you travel to ensure you have the correct ticket. John Swinney announced the peak train fares in Scotland will be scrapped permanently from from September 1 2025. The First Minister confirmed the policy at Holyrood, following a pilot scheme that removed peak-time ScotRail fares but ended in September last year following 'limited success'. Transport Scotland said the scheme - which was subsidised by the Scottish Government and standardised tickets across the day - 'did not achieve its aims' of persuading more people to car journeys for rail travel. ScotRail's off-peak tickets can be used after 9.15am on weekdays, and at any time on the weekend and on Scottish bank holidays. Some evening travel restrictions apply to off-peak tickets depending on the station or route. Always check with ScotRail before you travel to ensure you have the correct ticket (Image: Archive) The ban on drinking alcohol on ScotRail services is set to come to an end. First Minister John Swinney made the announcement when he made his Programme for Government statement to Holyrood. The document said the ban is 'counter-productive and ineffective'. A press release from the Scottish Government, which also announced the ending of peak train fares, said: "ScotRail peak rail fares abolished and the general alcohol ban on ScotRail trains removed and replaced with time and location restrictions." A blanket ban on drinking alcohol on ScotRail trains was introduced during Covid-19 in November 2020 and was extended 'for the foreseeable future' in 2022. The 24/7 ban prohibited drinking alcohol at any Scottish station or on any ScotRail service. Transport union RMT said ScotRail's ban cannot be 'adequately enforced', and has called on the train operator to tackle anti-social behaviour. The alcohol ban on ScotRail services has been around since November 2020 (Image: Newsquest) Gordon Martin, organiser at RMT Scotland, told The Herald: "It is not the job of rail workers to police the anti-social behaviour of passengers, and it is clear the rules around alcohol consumption cannot be adequately enforced. "What we need is for ScotRail to take real responsibility for dealing with anti-social and violent conduct, and to ensure every assault on staff is treated seriously and prosecuted to the full extent of the law." Domestic pets, such as dogs, cats, or tortoises, are allowed on ScotRail train services. According to the operator's website, up to two pets are allowed, but they must be on a lead or in a travel cage. ScotRail has options for frequent travellers to save money. Train season tickets offer a 40 per cent saving for those commuting five days a week. There are weekly, monthly, or annual options for the Season Tickets. With the removal of peak fares, season tickets were discounted by 20 per cent for a year and that will continue as planned until September. ScotRail say Flexipass provides a 30 per cent discount, allowing 12 single or six return journeys on the same route within 60 days. More information on ScotRail's railcards and tickets is available on its website. ScotRail passengers experiencing delays of 30 minutes or more could be entitled to compensation. This also applies to missed connections caused by ScotRail train delays. Claims must be made within 28 days of the delay.
BBC News
12-05-2025
- BBC News
Widow who had all cherished jewellery stolen gets some rings back
A widow who had her jewellery stolen has had some of the missing rings month, Susan Shepherd, 75, described her devastation at losing her life's collection, including her late husband Stan's wedding spoke out after the thief who had broken into her Aberdeen home was jailed for three years. It is understood information about the location of some of the items was passed to police after Susan spoke to BBC Scotland News. Officers have now been able to reunite her with eight most cherished items were not among those returned but Susan said she was "grateful" to get some belongings thefts happened in the Bucksburn area of Aberdeen in August last year while she away from Martin, 56, was jailed for three years at Peterhead Sheriff Court on 16 April after he admitted the theft of jewellery and a jewellery box as well as other personal belongings. The total estimated value was several thousand described her experience in a victim impact statement read to the Annella Cowan said the crime victim had taken the opportunity to describe how it had harmed her mental health."I cannot explain how disturbed I am by this despicable crime," her statement said. "I will never recover from this."The sheriff described her words as "elegant and eloquent". Stan Shepherd took early retirement after heart surgery and devoted his days to his wife, who had gone back to work Stan's death in 2010, Susan carefully stored away precious mementos from their 40 years of marriage - Stan's wedding band, her own wedding and engagement rings, even a pair of his were among the items Susan found missing after the robbery. Susan found out about the break-in when a neighbour contacted her about a smashed door. Relatives then discovered the house had been ransacked."It was unbelievable, it just devastated me," she told BBC Scotland News."My late husband's ashes were disturbed, that just broke my heart." Susan said she was shocked when police told her they had recovered some of the rings. "I am saddened that my more sentimental ones were not among them," she said."I am so grateful to everyone who was involved in the recovery of some of my possessions."She added: "If anyone out there is wearing rings with inscriptions that don't belong to them, please hand them in."I live in hope they turn up someday."Sgt Donald Lyon, of Police Scotland, said: "We understand how devastating if can be to have your home broken into."We are pleased the jewellery has been returned to its rightful owner."In 2023-24, housebreakings accounted for 8% of crimes of dishonesty in Scotland, with 9,033 recorded.
The Herald Scotland
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
ScotRail: The latest news and updates on Scotland's train company
The Dutch state-owned railway company had been awarded the franchise in 2015 to run until 2025, but the deal was cut short following criticism over cancellations and performance. The contract was worth more than £7 billion, according to the BBC. Read on for all the latest ScotRail news, interviews and updates. Latest ScotRail news As reported by The Herald, here is a selection of the latest ScotRail news stories. City train station set to get new entrance façade ScotRail booze ban is unenforceable, says rail union ScotRail staff 'cannot enforce' alcohol ban admits train boss ScotRail on-peak fares On-peak travel is generally between 06:00 and 09:15, and 16:30-18:00. Always check with ScotRail before you travel to ensure you have the correct ticket. John Swinney announced the peak train fares in Scotland will be scrapped permanently from from September 1 2025. The First Minister confirmed the policy at Holyrood, following a pilot scheme that removed peak-time ScotRail fares but ended in September last year following 'limited success'. Transport Scotland said the scheme - which was subsidised by the Scottish Government and standardised tickets across the day - 'did not achieve its aims' of persuading more people to car journeys for rail travel. ScotRail off-peak times ScotRail's off-peak tickets can be used after 9.15am on weekdays, and at any time on the weekend and on Scottish bank holidays. Some evening travel restrictions apply to off-peak tickets depending on the station or route. Always check with ScotRail before you travel to ensure you have the correct ticket (Image: Archive) Drinking alcohol on ScotRail trains The ban on drinking alcohol on ScotRail services is set to come to an end. First Minister John Swinney made the announcement when he made his Programme for Government statement to Holyrood. The document said the ban is 'counter-productive and ineffective'. A press release from the Scottish Government, which also announced the ending of peak train fares, said: "ScotRail peak rail fares abolished and the general alcohol ban on ScotRail trains removed and replaced with time and location restrictions." A blanket ban on drinking alcohol on ScotRail trains was introduced during Covid-19 in November 2020 and was extended 'for the foreseeable future' in 2022. The 24/7 ban prohibited drinking alcohol at any Scottish station or on any ScotRail service. Transport union RMT said ScotRail's ban cannot be 'adequately enforced', and has called on the train operator to tackle anti-social behaviour. The alcohol ban on ScotRail services has been around since November 2020 (Image: Newsquest) Gordon Martin, organiser at RMT Scotland, told The Herald: "It is not the job of rail workers to police the anti-social behaviour of passengers, and it is clear the rules around alcohol consumption cannot be adequately enforced. "What we need is for ScotRail to take real responsibility for dealing with anti-social and violent conduct, and to ensure every assault on staff is treated seriously and prosecuted to the full extent of the law." Bringing pets on ScotRail Domestic pets, such as dogs, cats, or tortoises, are allowed on ScotRail train services. According to the operator's website, up to two pets are allowed, but they must be on a lead or in a travel cage. ScotRail ticket types ScotRail has options for frequent travellers to save money. Train season tickets offer a 40 per cent saving for those commuting five days a week. There are weekly, monthly, or annual options for the Season Tickets. With the removal of peak fares, season tickets were discounted by 20 per cent for a year and that will continue as planned until September. ScotRail say Flexipass provides a 30 per cent discount, allowing 12 single or six return journeys on the same route within 60 days. More information on ScotRail's railcards and tickets is available on its website. ScotRail delay repay ScotRail passengers experiencing delays of 30 minutes or more could be entitled to compensation. This also applies to missed connections caused by ScotRail train delays. Claims must be made within 28 days of the delay.
The Herald Scotland
04-05-2025
- The Herald Scotland
ScotRail booze ban is unenforceable, says rail union
Speaking to The Herald, RMT Scotland Organiser Gordon Martin said: "It is not the job of rail workers to police the anti-social behaviour of passengers, and it is clear the rules around alcohol consumption cannot be adequately enforced. "What we need is for ScotRail to take real responsibility for dealing with anti-social and violent conduct, and to ensure every assault on staff is treated seriously and prosecuted to the full extent of the law." Speaking before Holyrood's Net Zero, Energy, and Transport Committee, Maguire said: 'If staff are on the train, they cannot intervene and ask people not to drink', the rails boffin said, adding: 'There is no statistical link in terms of antisocial behavior in the consumption of alcohol on the train.' The ban has not stopped people from drinking on board. (Image: Newsquest) Exclusive data obtained by The Herald through a Freedom of Information request earlier this year found there were 971 anti-social incidents recorded at Scotland's rail stations in 2024. That compares to 1029 incidents in 2023 and 915 in 2022. An anonymous station worker said: 'I've had to clean up blood and have seen someone carrying a knife, witnessed assaults against women who had their children with them. 'People run riot and there is often no one there to control them. I have had customers come to me when they're frightened. It's happening most days – vandalising, smoking, drinking, being abusive to myself and other customers.' Read more from Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco: Will artificial intelligence prove a boost for the Scots leid – or a curse? 'Archaic and absurd': Lord Gove's new title slammed by Aberdeen residents It's time for the peerage system to go the way of the shilling Does Glasgow need a 'rat tsar' to crackdown on city rodent problem? Meanwhile, two national alcohol charities have expressed support for the ban. Dr Richard Piper, CEO at Alcohol Change UK, told The Herald: 'While we can all avoid going to a pub, many of us cannot avoid being on a train or any form of public transport. Dr Piper added: "We want to be encouraging, not discouraging, usage of public transport, and that means creating safe environments for all of us. 'So, yes, the alcohol ban on trains should absolutely remain, just like the ban on smoking, and it is not unenforceable. It simply needs the will and the mechanism to enforce it." Laura Mahon of Alcohol Focus Scotland said relaxing the rules would 'send the wrong message'. She noted: 'It would be a step in the wrong direction, and send entirely the wrong message, to repeal the alcohol ban on public transport – particularly whilst Scotland is in the grip of an alcohol health emergency. 'There are strong links between alcohol and anti-social behaviour and crime. Public transport should be accessible and inclusive for everyone, including our children. 'Train staff should also be able to come to work without fear of alcohol driven abuse or assault.' Alcohol charities have praised the ban (Image: Pexels) The prohibition on drinking alcohol on ScotRail services was brought in November 2020 as a result of pandemic-era Covid restrictions, and was extended 'for the foreseeable future' in 2022. The ban is in place 24/7 and prohibits the drinking of alcohol at any Scottish station or on any ScotRail service. Alcohol cannot be carried if it is visible, even if it is unopened, but may be carried in a bag. There have not been any prosecutions as a result of the ban over the last three years, leading to questions about its efficacy. Prior to the embargo, alcohol could be consumed between 10am and 9pm. Tory MSP Douglas Lumsden, a critic of the embargo, said: 'ScotRail's booze ban is not only unenforceable, it's completely pointless. Yet SNP ministers still refuse to scrap it. 'The managing director of the nationalised rail company has admitted there is no link between alcohol consumption onboard and antisocial behaviour, so why cling onto a policy that serves no purpose?' Douglas Lumsden has criticised the ban (Image: PA) In response to Ms Maguire's testimony, a Transport Scotland spokesperson said ministers would review 'diverging views' on the issue before making a decision on whether to continue the ban. 'We are aware that passengers, ScotRail staff and other interested parties hold a wide range of views about alcohol on trains. 'Whilst we do appreciate that the majority of passengers who consume alcohol would not cause any concerns to train staff or other passengers, we know that alcohol can play a role in anti-social behaviour displayed on public transport and in wider society.' The spokesperson continued: 'Passenger safety, especially women and girls', on public transport is paramount. This is why safety is considered an important factor in our deliberations on this matter.'
