ACCESSIBLE, reliable public transport is key to addressing climate change, the Scottish TUC agreed today — but delegates warned that governments at Holyrood and Westminster are undermining it.

Train drivers’ union Aslef’s Jim Baxter welcomed Scotrail’s return to public ownership after “25 years of privateers bleeding it dry,” but said Covid was being used as cover for a “slash-and-burn” approach to rail services.

Ministers saw reductions in passenger numbers linked to lockdowns and remote working as an excuse to cut staff and services.