ScotRail Alcohol Ban: FOI release

Information requested

1. What written rules/regulations, allowed the Minister for Transport to interfere in operational matters that are surely the responsibility of the Management and Board of Scotrail?

2. Can you please provide me with the full details of the names of the Politicians and Political Parties they represent, who voted for the ban of the drinking of alcohol on Scotrail Services?

Response

1. ScotRail Trains Ltd is a public sector organisation accountable to Scottish Ministers. ScotRail delivers Scottish Ministers’ priorities and service specification through a Framework Agreement and Grant Agreement in place with Scottish Rail Holdings (SRH). These agreements are published on the SRH website: What we do — Scottish Rail Holdings

2. There has been no vote by Scottish Ministers to introduce the current alcohol ban, which was introduced by ScotRail as a prudent safety measure during the Covid pandemic period. The future of this policy remains under consideration, noting that a wide range of views is expressed on this matter by a wide range of stakeholders.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.