Seems like a good way to turn the whole thing around back at the government, doesn't it?
This is a post about much-needed improvement to public transit in Scotland and will cover a broad array of different transport types, I will cite my sources below if you want to check them out. This might be a long post, but I’ve made sure to include lots of pictures!
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Introduction:
Public transport in Scotland is not great, it’s not horrible and is better than certain places but it could use improvement. A recent YouGov poll found that 49% of Scottish people rated their local train services as ‘Good’, compared to 72% of Londoners, where there has been a substantial investment. Broken down even further just 36% of Rural Scottish people rated their local train services as ‘Good’. Now, this is not a horrible statistic, but I believe it should be much higher and not just train services but all types of local transit. Feel free to add suggestions and leave your thoughts below!
https://preview.redd.it/h8kic6mr3i781.png?width=1200&format=png&auto=webp&s=c3f71060e7c81b1fd4cf6946ef387242e06b6694
Why is investment needed?
Some may be asking ‘Why is an investment into public transit needed?’. There are several reasons, the most obvious are the environmental concerns, if we are to achieve our COP26 / Paris goals, investment in public transit is needed to lower emissions, for every tonne of CO2 emitted by public transit, 20 tonnes are saved. Investment into public transit also creates a lot of green jobs, investment into transit infrastructure creates 30% more jobs than building roads. Another big reason is equity, it would give people equal access to work, leisure, and education, especially for marginalised groups. [1]
There are several problems with Scotland’s current public transport. It’s too expensive and disjointed, it’s outdated, and doesn’t reach everyone efficiently. There needs to be reform. I believe you should be able to travel anywhere in Scotland without the need for a car. This will take a while and it will be expensive, but I believe it would be worth it due to wider societal benefits as I mentioned above. [2]
**Just before I get into it, just a heads up that this is a huge topic an
... keep reading on reddit ➡Looks like Scotrail RMT members might be headed out on strike during COP26 due to perceived (and probably accurate..) time wasting by the Gov/Abellio.
Someone was saying on here the other day that they thought the strike was just pointless because it was only running on Sunday's... Looks like your wish has come true!
I don't doubt we will see sudden action from Abellio pretty soon...
https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/19648165.rmt-union-confirm-strikes-take-place-cop26-glasgow/
https://www.ft.com/content/fc9da37d-0c73-43c5-9ee3-6665f8bd6721
Paywall so here it is:
Scottish railway workers and refuse collectors have voted to back potentially highly disruptive strike action during the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow, in a major escalation of long-festering pay disputes.
The threat by the RMT transport workers union to halt all train services within Scotland from November 1-12 could throw into chaos the already challenging logistics surrounding an international meeting aimed at accelerating efforts to combat global warming.
Separate planned action by refuse collectors raises the spectre of piles of rubbish in the streets of Glasgow just as the eyes of the world turn to Scotland’s second-largest city. The RMT rail union said on Thursday that a ballot of more than 2,000 members had backed plans to strike, with 84 per cent in favour of the action over what it says is a refusal by Scottish railway operator ScotRail and government agency Transport Scotland to negotiate an acceptable pay increase.
Michael Hogg, RMT regional organiser for Scotland, said the planned strike action would affect all trains operated by the national rail operator ScotRail, including those from Glasgow to Edinburgh and other Scottish cities expected to be used by many COP26 participants.
“We have obviously deliberately targeted COP26 so common sense can actually prevail,” Hogg told BBC Radio Scotland. “If no solution is forthcoming, then no trains will run.”
RMT members working on the Caledonian Sleeper service, which runs between London and Scottish cities, also plan to strike during part of COP26 over a pay dispute with the service operator Serco.
The GMB union said separately that 97 per cent of votes in a ballot of refuse workers had backed industrial action over the latest pay offer from Scottish local governments.
“Unless there is an improved offer on Monday we will be taking action in Glasgow during COP26,” the union said. The strike threats highlight increasing pressure for substantial pay increases, particularly among workers who were on the frontline of public services during the coronavirus crisis but have not seen salary increases to match those announced for NHS staff.
Chris Mitchell, a GMB organiser, said it was sending a message to the Scottish government. “This is when low-paid workers make a stand . . . and say enough is enough. These heroes here deserv
... keep reading on reddit ➡Hello,
I have not had a running train service in 7 months thank god i only work Monday to Friday. I have been following on twitter RMT says that Abellio have not engaged in talks and Scottish government seem powerless to force hands even though they are funding the service. I dont blame the staff has they should be paid fairly.
If you buy weekly/monthly ticket they wont reimburse the Sunday, as your buying knowing the strikes are ongoing with no end in sight...
I guess Abellio are ultimately the responsible party until Scottish government take control next year... Apparently because of COP26 Sundays will be back on the rota nothing official.
Link for updates https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/passenger-disruption/sunday-strikes-planned
