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| ScotRail Alliance managing director Phil Verster leaves role | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The managing director of the ScotRail Alliance is leaving to take up a new role, it has been confirmed. | |
| Phil Vester, who has been in the post since May 2015, is to become managing director of the East West rail project. | |
| The 53-year-old has been facing intense pressure in recent months, because of the rail service's failure to meet targets on punctuality and reliability. | |
| Network Rail said that the identity of his successor would be announced in the coming days. | |
| Earlier this week, Mr Verster sparked a row at Holyrood over who would pay for free travel for season ticket holders as compensation for ScotRail train delays. | Earlier this week, Mr Verster sparked a row at Holyrood over who would pay for free travel for season ticket holders as compensation for ScotRail train delays. |
| ScotRail Alliance was formed as a partnership involving Abellio ScotRail and Network Rail, intended to improve performance through cooperation between the rail operator and the rail infrastructure company. | ScotRail Alliance was formed as a partnership involving Abellio ScotRail and Network Rail, intended to improve performance through cooperation between the rail operator and the rail infrastructure company. |
| During Mr Verster's time in charge, Abellio ScotRail has faced calls for it to be stripped of the £7bn 10-year franchise. | During Mr Verster's time in charge, Abellio ScotRail has faced calls for it to be stripped of the £7bn 10-year franchise. |
| Transport Scotland ordered ScotRail to put in place an improvement plan after 2016 saw its performance slip below contracted standards. | Transport Scotland ordered ScotRail to put in place an improvement plan after 2016 saw its performance slip below contracted standards. |
| Mr Verster has previously been Network Rail's managing director for London North East and deputy chief executive officer at Irish Rail. | Mr Verster has previously been Network Rail's managing director for London North East and deputy chief executive officer at Irish Rail. |
| At the time of his appointment, Dutch contract holder Abellio said his track record on improvement and safety made him an "ideal candidate". | At the time of his appointment, Dutch contract holder Abellio said his track record on improvement and safety made him an "ideal candidate". |
| Political pressure | |
| Green MSP Alison Johnstone said ScotRail's performance has "has not been good enough". | |
| She said: "However, given that our railways are privately owned and the main purpose is to generate profit, changing the person at the top of the franchise will make little difference. | |
| "Nevertheless, the incoming managing director must begin work immediately to improve the current dismal situation because too often commuters either have to stand all the way or they simply can't board a train due to overcrowding. | |
| "Abellio need to understand that poor service is unacceptable and that offers of compensation should be automatic and easy to complete." | |
| The Scottish Liberal Democrats have called for the transport minister to give a statement to parliament over the resignation. | |
| Party transport spokesman Mike Rumbles said: "Mr Verster's resignation comes just 48 hours after his appearance in front of the Transport Committee. | |
| "We were all astonished by the fact that the transport minister had not even got agreement from Mr Verster over the spend of £1.8m to pay for a week's free travel when those funds had already been earmarked for rail improvement services. | |
| "It is obvious to me that Mr Verster was under incredible pressure when he couldn't answer in detail questions the committee was asking him." |