Latest news with #Scotrail
The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Survey: Scotrail 'one of UK's best for passenger satisfaction'
The survey found that Scotrail was behind only London Underground/Overground and Merseyrail, when judged by this metric. Since September 2021, Transport Focus has been seeking the opinions of passengers to assess their overall satisfaction levels, considering various aspects of rail travel including value for money, punctuality, cleanliness, information during journeys, and the frequency of services. The latest survey, conducted between 6 December 2024 and 25 May 2025, reflects the evolving experiences and preferences of passengers travelling by rail in Great Britain, Scotrail said. The operator has performed consistently well over the past couple of years, and said that the latest positive score 'reflects the hard work of staff across the business to deliver the best possible experience for customers.' Passengers board a train at Glasgow's Queen Street (Image: NQ) ScotRail also ranks particularly high for punctuality and reliability at 87 per cent satisfaction, and also has the best score relating to level of crowding of any operator at 82 per cent – meaning customers are usually able to get a seat while travelling. The Transport Focus survey results are available at ScotRail scorecard - Transport Focus. READ MORE: Glasgow Central trains face rush-hour disruption amid problem ScotRail is 'fixing' AI train announcer after controversy over voice used Phil Campbell, ScotRail Customer Operations Director, said: 'Everyone at ScotRail works flat out to deliver the service that our customers expect and deserve, so it's great to see such positive feedback from our customers. 'With more than nine out of ten customers satisfied with our service, this is testament to the hard work of our people in delivering a safe, reliable, and green railway.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Scotrail backtrack after new train announcements 'stole woman's voice'
The train provider previously said they won't be removing the new robot voice AI TOLD YOU SO Scotrail backtrack after new train announcements 'stole woman's voice' SCOTRAIL is "fixing" an AI train announcer after claims it uses a woman's voice without her permission, the First Minister has said. John Swinney said there had been some "controversy" over the case, after Scottish voiceover artist Gayanne Potter claimed the publicly-owned rail operator based its AI announcer - who is known as Iona - on recordings she made in 2021. 3 ScotRail is 'fixing' its AI train announcer after claims the voice was stolen from a real person Credit: Getty 3 John Swinney said at Holyrood today that the AI voice would be 'fixed' Credit: Alamy 3 Gayanne Potter, the voice actress who accused ScotRail of stealing her voice Credit: Supplied But after prompting from Fiona Hyslop, he said: "The Transport Secretary tells me they're fixing it, so they will be fixing it." Ms Potter has welcomed this commitment as a "meaningful step forward". The issue was raised at First Minister's Questions at Holyrood, with Scottish Conservative MSP Dr Sandesh Gulhane asking if it is how the Scottish Government - which took ScotRail into public ownership in 2022 - "supports actors". The Tory pressed the case with Mr Swinney after Ms Potter, in a widely shared Facebook post, accused ScotRail of dismissing her concerns. She said Iona came from voice data held by Swedish-based company ReadSpeaker, who she did recordings for in 2021 - adding that by using her voice in an AI model the company had acted outside of the terms of her agreement with them. Ms Potter spoke of her "distress" at discovering Scotland had "installed the ReadSpeaker model 'Iona' that contains my biometric voice data as their new announcer on all their trains". She insisted: "I did not know. I was not asked. I did not consent." Mr Swinney said he is "sure" the rail operator will be "engaging constructively with all concerned". He added: "I think sometimes these things do indeed need careful handling and I am sure ScotRail will be doing exactly that." Following the First Minister's comments, a spokeswoman for Ms Potter told the PA news agency: "We welcome the fact that the First Minister acknowledged the issue at hand and confirmed that ScotRail 'will be fixing it'. "While the language may not be definitive at this stage, this public commitment is a meaningful step forward for Gayanne, and other artists in her position. "That said, this case isn't just about hiring Scottish actors. It's about the use of a real actor's voice without her informed consent, and the broader need for ethical standards in the deployment of AI voice technology. "We now hope that 'fixing it' will include direct engagement with Gayanne, proper accountability from those responsible, and a clear commitment to ensuring that consent, transparency, and fair treatment become non-negotiable in the use of AI by public bodies. "The public sector needs to be rigorous in their procurement of AI solutions and the commercial partnerships they strike with AI companies." Ms Potter's representative said the voice actress had been told by ScotRail earlier this week that the matter was between her and ReadSpeaker. She said they would request that ScotRail cease using "Iona", adding: "Any use of Gayanne's or anyone else's voice through AI must be based on her full, informed consent and agreed upon under fair conditions." ReadSpeaker has said it has a contract to use her voice and its legal team has "comprehensively" addressed Ms Potter's concerns.
Daily Record
22-05-2025
- Daily Record
Scammer mum bought sexy pants and gig tickets after stealing £10k from son's football team
Sheriff Eddie Gilroy ordered her to pay the club £4,946 after hearing she had paid some money back and tagged her for four months. A woman who bought lingerie and concert tickets after stealing more than £10,000 from her son's football team has been ordered to pay £5,000 compensation. Amanda Fraser, 48, held the role of treasurer the club. But an investigation revealed thousands of pounds had gone missing from club accounts and police were called in. She had permission to cover costs for the team but used club funds to pay for lingerie sets, concert tickets, train tickets, fuel, mobile phones and cinema trips between April 2017 and June 2021. Fraser, of East Kilbride, denied any wrongdoing and went on trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court but was convicted of embezzling £10,663. Sheriff Eddie Gilroy ordered her to pay the club £4,946 after hearing she had paid some money back and tagged her for four months. Kulraj Purewal, 43, told depute fiscal Rebecca Clark he had audited the accounts in 2021 which caused alarm bells to ring. The accountant said: "Straight away I could see misalignment in the files provided to me by Amanda and the bank statements and transactions didn't match. "The spend that had previously happened was excessive and there were supermarket transactions, car garages, lingerie, fuel, Scotrail tickets, mobile phones and concert tickets." Fraser denied taking money from the club and claimed she had bought raffle prizes, supplies for the team and treats for youngsters. Asked about the purchase of five lingerie sets, she replied: "I was a bit taken aback when the police spoke to me about that because I don't shop online for lingerie and I would not use a kid's football team to buy lingerie." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Fraser also claimed Purewal and other witnesses had given a 'fairytale' version of how to run a football team. Charles Drummond, defending, said: "The effect of this conviction has been catastrophic on her. She is unlikely to trouble these courts ever again." Sheriff Gilroy said: "I accept that when you took on this role you were overwhelmed but it is clear that you did transfer money from the club account to your own account without good reason. "There was a pattern of small amounts of money being moved and effectively you treated that account as some sort of financial safety net.
Daily Record
13-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Breathing Space bench to be unveiled at Uddingston station
Passengers and community members will be encouraged to pause for thought at the bench, being installed to mark mental health week A new bench encouraging train passengers to pause for thought and conversation is being unveiled at Uddingston station as part of the current Mental Health Awareness Week. The station is one of five across Scotland to have the latest new Breathing Space benches put in place by Network Rail to help promote positive mental wellbeing, taking the total across Scotland to 12 including those at Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley. Uddingston station users and members of the community will be invited to 'take a moment to pause and reflect on their own mental health', while the benches also offer 'a dedicated space to talk through challenges and difficult times with others'. The benches are being put in place by Network Rail in partnership with Scotrail, NHS 24's Breathing Space service, the Samaritans and local authorities. Network Rail health, safety and environment director Innis Keith said: 'Mental health support belongs everywhere, including our railway. 'The benches provide an opportunity for people to transform the time spent waiting for their train into a moment to focus on their wellbeing. They invite you to pause, reflect, and, if you choose, share a conversation – whether you're waiting for a train or simply passing through, taking a seat can be the first step toward easing feelings of stress, loneliness, or anxiety.' Scotrail communications director David Ross added: 'We're proud to support an initiative that encourages kindness, openness, and mental wellbeing – values that are important to ScotRail and the communities we serve. 'Looking after mental health is something we all have a part to play in, and these benches are a simple but powerful reminder that no-one has to face tough times alone. 'By working with our partners, we're helping to make stations welcoming spaces where people can pause, talk, and support each other. Sometimes just sitting down for a chat can make all the difference.' Tony McLaren, national co-ordinator for Breathing Space, added: 'These benches are more than just a place to sit; they are a symbol of our commitment to encouraging open conversations about mental health. 'By providing a safe and welcoming space, we hope to inspire individuals to take a moment to reflect and reach out for support if needed. Let's continue to break the stigma surrounding mental health by remembering it's OK to not be OK and that reaching out for help is a sign of strength.'
Edinburgh Reporter
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Edinbrick LEGO model show was a sellout
At Edinbrick 2025, the charity LEGO Model Show at Meadowbank Sports Centre there were many models to admire, but none more so than the 26 feet long, 100,000 brick replica of the Forth Bridge, featuring two LNER Azumas and Scotrail trains which cross the real bridge daily. It is believed to be the largest model of its kind of the UNESCO World Heritage site – which carries as many as ten LNER trains per day in each direction. The model was first unveiled by LNUR (LEGO Northern UK Railway), the UK's largest LEGO train club, last year, and building on that success, this is its first visit to Scotland, where it proved popular with visitors to the show. The two working replica train tracks carried miniature models of trains during the weekend. LNER donated several prizes for the Edinbrick Tombola, raising money for Fairybricks – the official LEGO Charity in the UK which provides LEGO to children in hospitals across the country. Last year's event raised more than £17,000 for the charity – with this year's event expected to raise even more. Ahead of the event James Downey, Finance Director at LNER, said: 'I'm a huge LEGO fan so I'm really excited that model LNER Azuma trains will be on show this weekend on the giant LEGO Forth Bridge. I hope lots of families take a real LNER Azuma to Edinburgh to see this fantastic show. We're delighted to be supporting the charity fundraising at Edinbrick and hope to help raise lots of money to put LEGO into hospitals.' Richard Carter-Ulusoy, Chair of LEGO UK Railway, said: 'We were really excited to hear that our model of the Forth Bridge gained the attention of LNER. As massive fans of the railway, it's a pleasure to join with them at Edinbrick to raise money for a brilliant charity – and have some fun too!' As well as the 'everyone's a winner' Tombola and hundreds of displays, Edinbrick had 'build zones', a 'Minifig hunt' to find eight figures hidden around the exhibition and numerous additional LEGO related activities set to delight LEGO fans of all ages. © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam Like this: Like Related
