Train drivers’ union calls for sacking of Scottish Government transport minister

Train - Image credit: aureolindn via Flickr

The train drivers’ union ASLEF has called on Nicola Sturgeon to sack Transport Minister Humza Yousaf and renationalise the railways.

These was severe travel disruption yesterday morning after a broken down train between Edinburgh’s Waverley and Haymarket stations caused delays for commuters across central Scotland, including some MSPs.

It comes after the Scottish Government has been under pressure to terminate the contract with Dutch company Abellio, which runs Scotrail services, over failure to meet performance targets.

Commenting on the situation, ASLEF General Secretary Mick Whelan said: “The Scottish government response to the rail crisis has been pathetic.

“Transport Minister Humza Yousaf has stood by while Abellio Scotrail takes Scotland’s passengers and taxpayers for a ride.”

He added: “Nicola Sturgeon must take personal responsibility for this situation as her government awarded this contract.

“She should sack her incompetent Transport Minister.

“You can’t control what you don’t own so the Scottish government should do the decent thing and return the railway to public ownership.”

The First Minister apologised for the problem during First Minister’s Questions yesterday in response to a question by Kezia Dugdale.

She said: "I am sorry for the disruption that was caused this morning and also sorry for any disruption that any passenger faces on any day of the week, that is ScotRail's position and it is also mine."

Humza Yousaf has been at stations last night and this morning to see firsthand some of the issues being faced by passengers.