SCOTRAIL is being urged to slash fares for train services across East Renfrewshire after a survey revealed passenger satisfaction has plummeted to a 16-year low.

Overall satisfaction with ScotRail is down by six percentage points on last year to 79 per cent – well below the franchise target of 88.5 per cent.

West Scotland MSP Neil Bibby said the survey highlights the need to end the Abellio ScotRail franchise and bring train services back into public ownership.

He added: “Passengers are fed up with the poor service they are receiving from ScotRail.

“I know commuters in Barrhead are particularly fed up with the levels of delays, cancellations and overcrowding they are experiencing.

“It is disappointing that, despite repeated calls, the Scottish Government have failed to act and take enforcement action against ScotRail for its poor performance.

“Passengers shouldn’t have to be pay more for a service that is getting worse but that’s exactly what is happening.

“The Scottish Government let ScotRail hike up ticket prices by 3.2 per cent, despite this shoddy service. This shouldn’t have happened and the fare increases should be reversed to give hard-pressed commuters a break.”

Phil Campbell, ScotRail’s head of customer operations, said the firm had faced various challenges in recent months.

He added: “Everyone at ScotRail is working flat out to deliver the improved service our customers expect and deserve.”