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Official Report: search what was said in Parliament

The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.  

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Dates of parliamentary sessions
  1. Session 1: 12 May 1999 to 31 March 2003
  2. Session 2: 7 May 2003 to 2 April 2007
  3. Session 3: 9 May 2007 to 22 March 2011
  4. Session 4: 11 May 2011 to 23 March 2016
  5. Session 5: 12 May 2016 to 5 May 2021
  6. Current session: 12 May 2021 to 12 January 2025
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Displaying 2361 contributions

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Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Scotland’s Railways

Meeting date: 19 March 2024

Mark Ruskell

Thanks for sharing that picture.

Alex Hynes, the trial of off-peak fares being available all day will run until June. We are waiting for an evaluation of the trial, but what are the figures showing at this point? Is the trial bringing in significant numbers of new passengers, or it is just leading to savings for existing passengers? What has been the impact on both patronage and fare-box income?

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Scotland’s Railways

Meeting date: 19 March 2024

Mark Ruskell

What would be your measure of success for the trial of off-peak fares being available all day? To put it bluntly, will there come a point at which, with an increase in fare-box income as a result of more people returning to use the railways, the Scottish Government will not need to provide any subsidy or will need to provide only minimal subsidy? Would that be a measure of success, or is there something else?

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Scotland’s Railways

Meeting date: 19 March 2024

Mark Ruskell

Do you think that the policy should continue and become permanent?

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Scotland’s Railways

Meeting date: 19 March 2024

Mark Ruskell

I have just a quick question. Caledonian Sleeper provides an excellent service, but the choices are quite stark. You have seated accommodation, or you have high-end, hotel-grade accommodation with en suite facilities. Most European sleeper services run couchette services, which get more people on the trains and are more affordable for more regular travellers. What can you do within what you have? Can you add more carriages? Can you procure more carriages? It feels like quite a stark choice at the moment. It excludes many people.

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Scotland’s Railways

Meeting date: 19 March 2024

Mark Ruskell

Are we on track to meet the decarbonisation target by 2035?

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Automated Vehicles Bill

Meeting date: 19 March 2024

Mark Ruskell

So, in theory, clause 50 would grant those powers.

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Scotland’s Railways

Meeting date: 19 March 2024

Mark Ruskell

I go back to my original question. Is there another option that the Government could take to help, such as subsidising some other form of price support or fare capping for the railways, or was removing peak-time fares the obvious thing to do?

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Scotland’s Railways

Meeting date: 19 March 2024

Mark Ruskell

I think that that broadly covers matters. Have you had any feedback from passengers who use driver-only operated routes? Have there been particular concerns about antisocial behaviour or feelings of insecurity if no additional staff are on trains to support people?

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Scotland’s Railways

Meeting date: 19 March 2024

Mark Ruskell

It is about the decarbonisation programme and the objective to decarbonise Scotland’s railways by 2035. Is that on track, given current levels of investment?

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Scotland’s Railways

Meeting date: 19 March 2024

Mark Ruskell

Okay.