RAIL unions hit out at Scotland’s private rail operators today for pandemic “profiteering” and pocketing public money in a time of crisis. 

New research released by RMT shows that companies are set to make over £28 million in profit under Covid-19 emergency measures agreements (EMAs) in Scotland. 

EMAs, which have been in place since March, see the Scottish government take on all revenue risk and cover the costs of the franchises. 

RMT’s analysis shows that by the time the current agreements expire in January, the private train operators could stand to have made a profit of nearly £13 million, while rolling stock providers may have made more than £15m. 

RMT has written to ministers, urging them to take its rail services into public ownership to prevent millions being handed to private profiteers and so enable money to be reinvested in Scotland’s railway.

General secretary Mick Cash said that ending the “profiteering” could mean a “fairer deal” for workers, adding: “Unbelievably part of this deal has meant that while passengers and rail workers have made huge sacrifices, it’s business as usual for Scotland’s privatised rail companies who stand to make millions in profits.”

Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) general secretary Manuel Cortes also called for the government to follow Wales’s lead and take the railways into public ownership.

The revelations come as Abellio Scotrail is denying dedicated rail workers a pay rise. The Morning Star understands that RMT members have now voted in favour of strike action, with the results of a ballot being considered by the union.

A ScotRail spokesperson said: “These numbers have absolutely no basis in reality and shouldn’t be taken seriously. We will publish our accounts in line with statutory requirements.”