2 days ago
ScotRail train drivers among staff who failed drugs tests in the last three years
The firm refused to disclose where in the country four failures happened
OFF THEIR RAILS ScotRail train drivers among staff who failed drugs tests in the last three years
FOUR train drivers and conductors working for SNP-run ScotRail failed drugs tests in the last three years, stats show.
But bosses have refused to say what drugs they took.
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Scottish Tory transport spokeswoman Sue Webber has blasted the failures
And this has raised fears about the safety of the train network.
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Figures released under freedom of information rules showed that since 2022/23 there had been almost 600 tests undertaken.
One failure came in 2023-24.
And three more happened in 2024/25.
ScotRail said it randomly tests at least five per cent of their safety critical staff.
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This includes drivers and conductors.
The firm refused to disclose where in the country the four failures happened.
And they did not give details of the drugs that were taken.
Officials claimed doing so would identify the individuals.
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Scottish Tory transport spokeswoman Sue Webber MSP said: 'This is utterly unacceptable because it potentially puts passengers' lives at risk.
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'ScotRail must come clean about the nature of these offences and whether any of them involved train drivers.
'The buck ultimately stops with SNP ministers, who nationalised ScotRail and are therefore responsible for passenger safety.'
Julie Dale, from ScotRail, said: '99.4 per cent of staff members tested since 1 March 2022 have passed, and appropriate action is always taken against anyone who fails a test.'
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: 'It is entirely appropriate that ScotRail, as employer, ensure staff are fit to work which is why drug tests are undertaken by workers right across the transport sector as a condition of employment.'
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