snookertam
Member
- Joined
- 22 Sep 2018
- Messages
- 778
ScotRail ticket prices are extremely cheap compared to the rest of the country and the trains are empty 90% of the time. I have travelled on many a service where I was the only passenger and on a ticket that was providing zero extra revenue to the operator. Some might be tempted to suggest that you don't have the faintest idea about the economics of running a railway.
I think there’s peaks and troughs in terms of passenger numbers like with most operators’ routes. Most of the commuter services around Glasgow aren’t empty 90% of the time, I’d be surprised if they were even 50% of the time including off peak. However I would point point out that the money made by a TOC would be an extremely complex balance between a number of factors, which fare intake is only one.
As a possibly related aside, I’m amazed at the frequency being run by ScotRail today. Services understandably didn’t commence until after 9am, there are no Cathcart Circle or Barrhead locals among other reductions, but also appear to be running increased peaks on the East Kilbride, Newton and Neilston routes. Unsurprisingly, these trains are empty! Even a Saturday service is a bit generous on Jan 2nd so why they thought an evening peak was required anywhere is beyond me.