Additional funding to Abellio ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper: FOI release

Information requested

On Friday the 18th of September it was announced the Scottish government would transfer an additional £100 million to Abellio for phase two of the E.M.A , running to January 2020.

This is on top of the £230 million given in phase one which lasted for six months.

You specifically asked for the following information:

1) Is this money coming from the franchise agreement or additional funding?
2) What is the purpose of this additional funding?
3) To date, how much has Abellio ScotRail received in taxpayer money since Abellio were given the franchise?
4) What is the current position of Abellio in relation to Scotland's railway service?
5) Is the network rail and ScotRail alliance still active?
6) Is there any threat of compulsory redundancies within the daily industry in Scotland
7) Is the Scottish government happy with the Covid 19 control measures carried out by Abellio for theprotection of staff and passengers?

Response

The information relating to your individual questions are as follows:

1) Is this money coming from the franchise agreement or additional funding?

The estimated £103.5 million for the Emergency Services Agreements from 20 September 2020 to 10 January 2021 is additional funding to Abellio ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper.

2) What is the purpose of this additional funding?

The Scottish Government has put in place further Emergency Measures Agreements (EMAs) for the ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper franchises and these are in place from 20 September 2020 to 10 January 2021. During this time the train operators will receive payments to cover operating costs, as necessary because of reduced revenues.

3) To date, how much has Abellio Scotrail received in taxpayer money since Abellio were given the franchise?

Monies paid to Abellio ScotRail since the start of the current Franchise Agreement can be found via: -

https://www.transport.gov.scot/search-results/?q=annual+report+and+accounts
https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/transport-and-works-scotland-annual-report-2015/
https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/annual-report-and-accounts-for-the-year-ended-31-march-2016/
https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/annual-report-and-accounts-for-the-year-ended-31-march-2017/
https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/annual-report-and-accounts-for-the-year-ended-31-march-2018/
https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/transport-scotland-annual-report-and-accounts-2018-19/

4) What is the current position of Abellio in relation to Scotland's railway service?

Abellio ScotRail continues to operate Scotland’s Railway under the current franchise agreement in place until March 2022.

However in order to minimise disruption to passengers and rail employees caused by the Covid-19 outbreak and ensure the continued operation of rail passenger services, whilst revenue is significantly below where it would otherwise have been, the Scottish Government has put in place Emergency Measures Agreements (EMAs) for the ScotRail franchise which temporarily vary the franchise until January 2021.

5) Is the network rail and ScotRail alliance still active?

The Network Rail and ScotRail Alliance is still active. Any further information as to the Alliance arrangement is a matter for Network Rail and ScotRail.

Network Rail can be contacted via:- FOI@networkrail.co.uk

Network Rail
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6) Is there any threat of compulsory redundancies within the daily industry in Scotland?

Our key focus remains to work with our operators during this difficult period, who are best placed to manage the current challenges, whilst maintaining stability for passengers and staff.

We know that the ScotRail franchise agreement states that there will be no compulsory agreements.

We do not hold information in respect of this matter for any other railway business in Scotland.

7) Is the Scottish government happy with the Covid 19 control measures carried out by Abellio for the protection of staff and passengers?

The Scottish Government has published guidance for transport operators in Scotland to keep their staff and those using their services safe. Please find below the link to this guidance:- https://www.transport.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/transport-transition-plan/guidance-for-transportoperators/#63878 .

Transport Scotland is in regular dialogue with Abellio ScotRail whose Covid-19 contingency measures are developed in line with prevailing Scottish Government guidance and with the engagement of Trade Union colleagues.

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