Labour wants to see a publicly run not for profit ScotRail contract.

Following Sunday’s reduced services as train drivers are in dispute with new franchise holder Abellio a bid to allow a public sector option has been made through the Scotland Bill.

Shadow Scottish secretary, Ian Murray, said the travelling public and tax payer is not getting the best deal possible.

He said: “After the shambles of the weekend, it is clear that a People’s ScotRail is an idea whose time has come.

“Last year the SNP hailed the current ScotRail franchise, worth hundreds of millions in taxpayer cash, as world leading and cost effective, but within months it has run into a series of problems. It is clear Scotland simply isn’t getting the best deal it could. “

Abellio took over the contract in April this year from First Group.

Drivers from the union Aslef are unwilling to work overtime in a dispute over pay and redundancies leading to many services on a Sunday being cancelled, with replacement buses instead.

Mr Murray added: “Too many commuters in Scotland are waiting on late running services, if they turn up at all, paying over inflated fares on overcrowded trains.

“The best deal for Scotland is a People’s ScotRail, a railway company whose commitment is not to a group of shareholders or a foreign Government, but to the people of Scotland.”

He has bid to have powers given to the Scottish Parliament which would allow a public sector not for profit organisation to operate Scotland’s rail services.”