A ROW over funding for free travel for rail passengers has reignited after an MSP questioned if correct procedure was followed.
ScotRail season ticket holders are being given a free week of travel after disruption on the network, with £1.8 million of the £3m scheme due to come from the Service Quality Incentive Regime (Squire) railway improvement fund, which is built up through fines and other penalties.
Former ScotRail chief Phil Verster told MSPs days before he left his role in January that, contractually, the decision about where to invest such funds “sits with Abellio ScotRail’’ and he “couldn’t vouch’’ for the scheme going forward.
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf previously told Holyrood’s Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee that “contractually it is up to Scottish ministers” how the money is spent, following discussion with the franchisee.
He stood by his position at a meeting of the same committee yesterday after LibDem MSP Mike Rumbles said the evidence was “contradictory” and called for Verster to be recalled to the committee, saying the contract set out that Abellio controls the fund.
Yousaf said he saw no contradiction between his evidence and Verster’s, and insisted the franchisee can propose use of the fund but the ultimate decision on how the Squire money is spent lies with Scottish ministers.
Monthly and annual season ticket holders will gain a free week of travel, with free off-peak return trips anywhere in Scotland for those who switch to smart ticketing.
Weekly season ticket holders on Smartcard will also benefit from a complimentary one-day return ticket, with an offer for leisure passengers to be announced later in the year.
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