ScotRail longer distance services should match TfW's service standards

[Fife coaster]

Moderator note: split from

222 contract for Scotrail announced

Alstom just revealed it has the 10 year refurbishment and maintenance contract for 222s for Scotrail (option to extend to March 2042) so move to Scotland now official 19 Mar 2026 Alstom secures long-term train services and refurbishment contracts for £330 million[1] (€380 million) with...

www.railforums.co.uk

I was on transport for Wales mark 4 first class service two weeks ago.

And what a difference from Scotrail 1st advance fares available unlike scotrail where its full price only. The service and dining in first class was amazing and very well priced and lots of options and first class was busy both ways. And the cafe bar was busy with standard class passenger.

How can wales do it but Scotland can’t its no difficult? we need to think big like wales.

 

[AlterEgo]

I was on transport for Wales mark 4 first class service two weeks ago. And what a difference from Scotrail 1st advanace fares available unlike scotrail where its full price only. The service and dining in first class was amazing and very well priced and lots of options and first class was busy both ways. And the cafe bar was busy with standard class passenger. How can wales do it but Scotland can’t its no difficult we need to think big like wales.

The secret ingredient is setting fire to public money.

 

[sh24]

I was on transport for Wales mark 4 first class service two weeks ago. And what a difference from Scotrail 1st advanace fares available unlike scotrail where its full price only. The service and dining in first class was amazing and very well priced and lots of options and first class was busy both ways. And the cafe bar was busy with standard class passenger. How can wales do it but Scotland can’t its no difficult we need to think big like wales.

It isn’t about thinking big. If someone is prepared to use taxpayers money to subsidise it, then Scotland can do this too. Perhaps wisely they are spending on infrastructure?

ScotRail First class upgrades on train are reasonably priced which compensates for the dearth of advances.

 

[Rick1984]

How heavily loaded are the TfW services in comparison to ScotRail?

 

[Highlander1]

I was on transport for Wales mark 4 first class service two weeks ago. And what a difference from Scotrail 1st advanace fares available unlike scotrail where its full price only. The service and dining in first class was amazing and very well priced and lots of options and first class was busy both ways. And the cafe bar was busy with standard class passenger. How can wales do it but Scotland can’t its no difficult we need to think big like wales.

Dining on a TFW service is an additional cost on top of your ticket and it's on very few select services. Those mark 4's aren't exactly reliable either so they are regularly substituted for a DMU. There are 1st class advance tickets on scotrail but they are limited by the number of 1st class seats available.

 

[capital12]

It isn’t about thinking big. If someone is prepared to use taxpayers money to subsidise it, then Scotland can do this too. Perhaps wisely they are spending on infrastructure?

ScotRail First class upgrades on train are reasonably priced which compensates for the dearth of advances.

LOL! Scottish Government spending wisely, I just spat out my tepid tea!

The trouble with ScotRail is the product is so haphazard that you never know what you’re going to get and that uncertainty puts me off travelling with them.

Should be an HST but you get a crammed 170, should be a trolley but nothing - and it’s all very well people saying buy it at the station, but if you’re travelling from Mallaig to Glasgow that’s 5 hours on the train!

I could use LNER but despise the 800s for how uncomfortable they are.

So as I have to drive to the station anyway, I generally now stay in the car and drive to where I need to go or the airport instead! It’s comfortable and I can stop for refreshments wherever I like!

ScotRail really need to get a grip on their product and the consistency to temp me back - if they can make these 222s into something good then I may give them a go (do I think they can? Probably not!)

 

[Highlander1]

LOL! Scottish Government spending wisely, I just spat out my tepid tea!

The trouble with ScotRail is the product is so haphazard that you never know what you’re going to get and that uncertainty puts me off travelling with them.

Should be an HST but you get a crammed 170, should be a trolley but nothing - and it’s all very well people saying buy it at the station, but if you’re travelling from Mallaig to Glasgow that’s 5 hours on the train!

I could use LNER but despise the 800s for how uncomfortable they are.

So as I have to drive to the station anyway, I generally now stay in the car and drive to where I need to go or the airport instead! It’s comfortable and I can stop for refreshments wherever I like!

ScotRail really need to get a grip on their product and the consistency to temp me back - if they can make these 222s into something good then I may give them a go (do I think they can? Probably not!)

And you've hit the nail on the head. It's about consistency. Nobody cares how the coffee is served as long as it's available. Hopefully the 222s have better reliability and a consistent product.