Last night was possibly the worst train journey of my commuting life, and certainly the worst experience since First took over ScotRail, about which I have, generally, been very positive about. The sequence of events went something like this:

• At around 1650 it was announced that the 1654 train from Wemyss Bay to IBM was cancelled. So I went back to do an extra hours work
• At 1800, while awaiting the 1802 train, it was announced that there were likely to be delays or short-notice alterations to services.
• At 1840, still awaiting the 1802 train, it was announced that the train that had been due in at 1750 on its way to Wemyss Bay had been terminated in Port Glasgow. The knock on effect of this was that the 1802 I was waiting on was never going to arrive, although this was never announced.
• I got an (outrageously expensive) taxi to Port Glasgow train station, and from thence to Glasgow. I got home at 2015 - about 2 hours after I normally get home.

A bit of background - after Port Glasgow there is only a single track to Wemyss Bay, meaning that only 1 train is allowed on it at any one time. Thus the train to WB because the train to Glasgow Central once it has arrived at WB.

I don’t have a big problem with cancellations and delays - it happens, it’s part and parcel of being a rail commuter. However, I have 2 big problems with the way that things unfolded last night:

1. Lack of information. Either First wasn’t communicating properly internally, or nobody internally was making decent decisions. The result was that it wasn’t until 40 minutes after a scheduled arrival that we discovered it was going to happen, and even that was not communicated properly. If I’d known this at the appropriate time, it would have been easier to arrange an alternative.
2. At no point were alternatives provided, meaning that, despite the fact that I have a pre-paid ticket, I had to shell out to get the simple service I required.

Needless to say, I shall be issuing a formal complaint to ScotRail.

On a happier note, Liverpool stuck 7 goals past an unfortunate Birmingham City last night in the FA Cup. Just a shame that the only quarter final not to be on BBC was the one I wanted to watch Still - 15 goals in 3 games, including goals from all 4 strikers, is nothing to cry about Just a shame it’s so late in the season.

mrBen