Payments to rail franchises under the Emergency Measures Agreements - September 2020 to March 2021

The tables below show a summary of all payments made to rail operators during this period.

In September 2020 the Scottish Government agreed further temporary variations to the ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper Franchises to minimise disruption to passengers and rail employees. This ensured passenger services continued to operate during this period. 

EMA2 covered the period from 20 September 2020 to 31 March 2021. During this time the train operators continued to receive increased payments to cover operating costs, as necessary because of reduced revenues.

The move was intended to enable greater flexibility and transferring revenue and cost risk to the government during the COVID-19 outbreak.

How the costs are calculated

The figures are calculated on the basis of the shortfall between expected and actual revenues which are a direct result of the reduced number of services operating and passengers travelling during the ongoing pandemic.

These payments are made in addition to the regular franchise payments and are published at the end of each EMA.

Payments to franchised passenger rail operators under Emergency Measures Agreements (EMAs) in Scotland, September 2020 - March 20211

Total franchise payments under EMA2 in £million

Time period ScotRail5 Caledonian Sleeper6 Total
2020-21 Period 7 60.4 2.8 63.3
2020-21 Period 8 64.9 3.6 68.5
2020-21 Period 9 68.8 3.7 72.6
2020-21 Period 10 71.4 4.1 75.5
2020-21 Period 11 79.7 3.9 83.6
2020-21 Period 12 63.2 2.7 65.9
2020-21 Period 13 62 1.8 63.8
Total4 470.5 22.7 493.2

 

Franchise payments expected to have been paid under the franchise agreementin £million

Time period  ScotRail Caledonian Sleeper Total
2020-21 Period 7 36 1.6 37.7
2020-21 Period 8 41.3 1.6 42.9
2020-21 Period 9 36 5.7 41.7
2020-21 Period 10 48.3 1.6 49.9
2020-21 Period 11 44.9 1.6 46.5
2020-21 Period 12 27.2 1.6 28.8
2020-21 Period 13 27.8 1.9 29.7
Total 261.5 15.8 277.3

 

Extra franchise payments made under EMA as a result of COVID-19 in £million

Time period ScotRail Caledonian Sleeper Total
2020-21 Period 7 24.4 1.2 25.6
2020-21 Period 8 23.7 1.9 25.6
2020-21 Period 9 32.9 2.1 35
2020-21 Period 10 23.1 2.5 25.6
2020-21 Period 11 34.9 2.2 37.1
2020-21 Period 12 36 1.1 37.1
2020-21 Period 13 34.1 0.3 34.4
Total 209 11.4 220.4

 

1 Data is shown for rail periods from 21 September 2020 to 31 March 2021. There are 13 such periods per financial year, each lasting approximately four weeks.

2 The total franchise payments made under EMA each period factors is an estimated base franchise payment that would have been paid under the previous franchise agreement, plus the extra required in the EMA payment due to the impact of COVID-19.

3 Total franchise payments expected to have been paid under the previous franchise agreement to both Abellio ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper are estimates and it is worth noting that Abellio ScotRail would have been entitled to revenue support and Caledonian Sleeper entitled to profit support. Due to COVID-19, this therefore would likely have had a material impact on franchise payments made under the previous franchise agreement.

4 Payments represent cash paid in the period and do not reflect periodic adjustments.

5 Abellio ScotRail were paid the management fee and performance fee for EMA1 in Rail Period 11.

6 Caledonian Sleeper were paid the management fee for EMA1 in Rail Period 8 and the performance fee for EMA1 in Rail Period 11.

EMA2 - performance fees

Performance scores and management fees due to Scottish franchised passenger rail operators under Emergency Measures Agreements (EMAs), September 2020 - March 2021.

Table showing the performance scores and management fees due to Scottish franchised passenger rail operators under Emergency Measures Agreements (EMAs). The total for operational performance is £2,645,720, customer experience is £2,536,668, acting as a good and efficient operator is £2,645,720, making the total fees payable are £7,828,108.

View the table in Excel

1 The EMA2 Performance scores were based on the rail periods from 20 September 2020 to 31 March 2021.

2 No Management Fees were payable under EMA2.


Published Date 10 Dec 2021 Type Mode of transport Topic