THE head of a rail union has today written to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon with his five asks for ScotRail ahead of the train operator going into public ownership in 2022.

TSSA leader Manuel Cortes says in his letter: “ScotRail performs a vital role in the Scottish economy. It makes sense to invest in it now, so that it can play its role in our Covid recovery and our greener future.

“My first ask is that there should be no cuts to staff: It’s utterly wrong-headed to think that cutting staff means more efficiency. We need sufficient staff to cover when drivers, guards and controllers are sick so that trains aren’t cancelled.

“Numbers are already stretched and further cuts will mean short-notice cancellations become the norm.

“We need station and platform staff to help passengers with disabilities, parents with pushchairs and elderly passengers on and off the train.

“Cuts to services must also be stopped. Climate change is already upon us. We need people to be using public transport more than ever to reduce our carbon footprint and save our world.

“Public ownership is also a golden opportunity to bring ticket prices down, as we’ll no longer need to pay shareholder dividends out of railway money.

“I was amazed that earlier this month the Scottish Government announced fare rises of 3.8% from January 24. To reach our climate change targets, we need to make our railway the appealing, better option for everyone.

“Plans to close ticket offices should be cancelled. For many, ticket office staff are a better way to buy tickets as you will always get the lowest fare for your journey.

“Finally, there should be no going back – keep ScotRail public forever.

“Franchise exercises are a massive waste of public money, money that would be better spent investing in new rolling stock or keeping prices low.”