A summit on Scotland’s railways is needed to deal with the “chaos currently engulfing the system”, according to a Labour MSP.
Neil Findlay wants Transport Minister Derek Mackay to bring together employee and passenger representatives, the board of ScotRail and a cross-party group of transport experts to discuss issues affecting train services.
It was revealed earlier this month that ScotRail has been fined more than £250,000 over three months for failing to meet strict standards for trains and stations.
Figures show the franchise, taken over by operator Abellio in April, was hit with £265,282 in penalties between July and September.
ScotRail fell short in eight of 17 areas of station performance over the period, including toilets, litter, shelters and CCTV and security.
The franchise also failed to meet set standards in eight of 17 quality categories for trains, including toilets, graffiti, passenger information displays and the seat reservation system.
Cash penalties or rewards are issued depending on performance against a benchmark under the service quality incentive regime (Squire).
Mr Findlay highlighted the findings in a motion lodged at Holyrood on Thursday, which calls for a summit to be convened.
The motion also noted that “in October, passengers on the newly opened Borders Railway spoke of being ‘packed in like sardines, standing room only’, while other passengers faced cancelled services, out-of-service ticket machines and poor parking provision at Tweedbank in particular”.