Passengers return ++ The number of journeys made on London Underground is back to 90 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, according to Transport for London. A total of 91 million journeys were made on the system in April, compared with 101 million in April 2019. Travel on the Docklands Light Railway, London Overground, trams and buses has also increased.
Fraud ++ ScotRail is appointing 42 Revenue Protection Officers in a bid to reduce fraudulent travel, which is estimated to cost around £2 million a year. A pilot scheme using new ticket validation machines has also been taking place over the last few weeks at stations such as Edinburgh, Glasgow Central, Glasgow Queen Street, Croy, High Street (Glasgow), Rutherglen, and Paisley Canal. The devices are designed to alert staff if an invalid ticket is presented.
Resignation ++ Scottish transport minister Kevin Stewart has resigned, only three months since he had been appointed. In a letter to the First Minister Humza Yousaf, Mr Stewart explains that he has had ‘ bouts of poor mental health, with a low ebb in early December of last year. Over the last week or so I have once again been feeling unwell and I feel that I can no longer put in the hours required to serve both my constituents and hold ministerial office, whilst also trying to maintain good mental health. I do hope that you understand.’ Mr Stewart is not stepping down from his post as MSP for Aberdeen Central.