Current status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 27 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in increasing staff presence and staff numbers across the ScotRail network, in response to the recommendation in the Transport Scotland summary report, Women's and girls' views and experiences of personal safety when using public transport, which calls for the feasibility to be explored of increasing staff presence at points of boarding, alighting and interchange.
The adjustments to ticket offices opening hours have been consulted upon with ScotRail staff and aim to increase the staff presence to enhance passenger travel experience and passenger safety, not least by allowing staff redeployment onto Travel Safe teams.
ScotRail Travel Safe Team has expanded to 28 members in the West and soon will add 9 team members in the East. Since its introduction, there has been a 43% reduction in reporting of low level anti-social behaviour, 10 suicide interventions and 1 lifesaving CPR intervention; youth related incidents decreased by 52% and a 70% reduction in anti-social behaviour related events in hot spot locations.
Importantly, it remains the specification of the Scottish Government that all ScotRail trains should have a member of staff on board to assist passengers, which is different to many UK operators.