Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 30 May 2013
30 May 2013 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Scotland’s Railways
The example that has been given by Stewart Stevenson illustrates that cross-border services can be organised in the mutual interest of two countries if the will exists to do so. I have heard general reports about the success of the line that he mentioned. There is no reason, of course, why an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK could not collaborate in that way on cross-border services.
On cross-border issues, we should be treated as equals, which is the point that Stewart Stevenson made, rather than being treated as subordinates. This is the first time I can remember having any say whatever in the east coast and west coast main lines and the future franchises. I see Gavin Brown shaking his head. Perhaps he prefers the outcome of the west coast main line franchise process to one of collaboration, in which the Governments can talk about these things and get it right first time.
In the immediate future, we face challenges in the lead-up to 2014, when our country will host the Commonwealth games and the Ryder cup, and there will be an increased focus on Scotland with another homecoming Scotland year and, of course, the forthcoming referendum. We are in a good place to deliver transport services that meet the expectations of Scotland’s residents and their visitors during what will be a milestone year. There have been significant investments in Gleneagles and Dalmarnock stations, along with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport subway improvements, which will result in better connectivity for Scottish visitors during 2014, as well as increased access to economic and cultural opportunities for residents.
Affordability is another issue. I know that the cost of travel is very important for the people who live and work in Scotland, so I am determined to offer some relief from the current pressures on household budgets. That is why, in December 2012, as part of my statement on the franchise continuation, I announced a freeze on off-peak fare rises, and peak fare increases were restricted to the retail prices index. Since then, my officials have worked with ScotRail to identify and eradicate fares anomalies to make our fares fairer.
Although the UK Government has promised to put an end to inflation-busting fares, we are taking action now and from 2016 we will be going further by ensuring that regulated peak fares cannot rise above inflation and that regulated off-peak fares will be restricted to RPI minus 1 per cent.
On cross-border issues, we should be treated as equals, which is the point that Stewart Stevenson made, rather than being treated as subordinates. This is the first time I can remember having any say whatever in the east coast and west coast main lines and the future franchises. I see Gavin Brown shaking his head. Perhaps he prefers the outcome of the west coast main line franchise process to one of collaboration, in which the Governments can talk about these things and get it right first time.
In the immediate future, we face challenges in the lead-up to 2014, when our country will host the Commonwealth games and the Ryder cup, and there will be an increased focus on Scotland with another homecoming Scotland year and, of course, the forthcoming referendum. We are in a good place to deliver transport services that meet the expectations of Scotland’s residents and their visitors during what will be a milestone year. There have been significant investments in Gleneagles and Dalmarnock stations, along with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport subway improvements, which will result in better connectivity for Scottish visitors during 2014, as well as increased access to economic and cultural opportunities for residents.
Affordability is another issue. I know that the cost of travel is very important for the people who live and work in Scotland, so I am determined to offer some relief from the current pressures on household budgets. That is why, in December 2012, as part of my statement on the franchise continuation, I announced a freeze on off-peak fare rises, and peak fare increases were restricted to the retail prices index. Since then, my officials have worked with ScotRail to identify and eradicate fares anomalies to make our fares fairer.
Although the UK Government has promised to put an end to inflation-busting fares, we are taking action now and from 2016 we will be going further by ensuring that regulated peak fares cannot rise above inflation and that regulated off-peak fares will be restricted to RPI minus 1 per cent.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott)
Con
Good afternoon, everyone. The first item of business is a debate on motion S4M-06766, in the name of Keith Brown, on transforming Scotland’s railways. We are...
The Minister for Transport and Veterans (Keith Brown)
SNP
Scotland’s railways are in the midst of a transformation and there is a real success story to tell. Now is the right time to take account of our achievements...
Stewart Stevenson (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)
SNP
Is the minister aware of the rail improvements that have been made between Belfast and Dublin, where there is equity of interest? Cross-border rail services ...
Keith Brown
SNP
The example that has been given by Stewart Stevenson illustrates that cross-border services can be organised in the mutual interest of two countries if the w...
Jenny Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome what the minister has done so far in sorting out anomalies with regard to Dundee. However, does he accept that there are still major anomalies on t...
Keith Brown
SNP
In dealing with about a quarter of a million journeys on which anomalies had occurred, we made substantial progress. That progress could have been made many ...
Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab)
Lab
What can the minister do to encourage bidders—either co-operative bidders or mutual or not-for-dividend bidders—to come forward and bid for the franchise?
Keith Brown
SNP
I think that I answered that question from Ken Macintosh last week. I am interested to know what the Labour Party’s position is. I reiterate that I cannot en...
John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Con
Will the minister give way?
Keith Brown
SNP
I want to make more progress, but I will see if I have time at the end to give way.The £30 million fund will provide investment for new and improved stations...
Elaine Murray (Dumfriesshire) (Lab)
Lab
This Government never really fails to disappoint on the height of the complacency and self-congratulation to which it aspires. There are really only two them...
Stewart Stevenson
SNP
Will Elaine Murray take the opportunity to congratulate the young engineer who came up with the idea for that project, which I had the privilege of adjudging...
Elaine Murray
Lab
I am more than happy to congratulate that young engineer; I just do not particularly want to congratulate the Scottish Government.Of course, there are the pr...
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
SNP
Does Elaine Murray accept that there are things that we would all like to see for the railways, but that there are realistic options and then a wish list? Ca...
Elaine Murray
Lab
Glasgow crossrail was actually in the infrastructure plan. In fact, it had gone as far as being moved to a parliamentary bill, so it was a little bit further...
Keith Brown
SNP
Will Elaine Murray give way?
Elaine Murray
Lab
I will not just now; I want to develop my point.When he was asked by Ken Macintosh last week whether the Scottish Government would encourage a not-for-profit...
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Green
I would welcome that kind of development. However, does Elaine Murray accept that, in order for a not-for-profit bidder to materialise, what is really needed...
Elaine Murray
Lab
I agree that that needs leadership. What I am saying is that that leadership is being shown in Wales. Indeed, the Labour Party at UK level is also considerin...
Keith Brown
SNP
I have said a number of times that I have approached the Secretary of State for Transport about changing the terms of the 1993 act to allow us to open up the...
Elaine Murray
Lab
Quite honestly, I do not believe that it is for Ed Miliband to tell the Scottish Labour Party what it believes. He can consider what he wants for the United ...
Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
The Government’s record on transport differs from that of the Government that preceded it. The previous Labour-Liberal Democrat Administration’s reluctance t...
Patrick Harvie
Green
Will Alex Johnstone give way?
Alex Johnstone
Con
I will not, at this stage.The achievements demonstrate the benefits of the existing industry structure, and I am determined to ensure that we do not make any...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
You should be drawing to a close, please.
Alex Johnstone
Con
I invite the Government to see sense and to ensure that it does not listen to the Labour Party and the Green Party during the course of today’s debate.I move...
Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (LD)
LD
One thing on which I agree with Alex Johnstone is that there was a complete reversal of policy in 1999. The budget that the Liberal Democrat-Labour Governmen...
Stewart Stevenson
SNP
On 19 December 2002, the Deputy Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning, Lewis Macdonald, said:“Congestion remains the key challenge that fa...
Tavish Scott
LD
That intervention absolutely gives the game away. I was trying to remember what the Scottish National Party position was on the big policy change that we mad...
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Green
I welcome the debate, and I see positive things to celebrate about the state of our railways, which is why the Green and independent amendment does not seek ...