University of Aberdeen (UoA) has paid for a £400 taxi taken by Principal George Boyne and then-Director of People Debbie Dyker from Glasgow to Aberdeen, amid a challenging financial situation faced by the institution.
Expense reports of the Senior Management Team (SMT) declare that a taxi was taken “due to cancelled last train” on Monday 23rd September 2024, however ScotRail records show no late-notice cancellations.
The 20:40 and 21:40 services, which would have been the last trains, were called off in planned cancellations “to provide greater certainty and reliability for customers.” ScotRail announced the temporary timetable in July during a pay dispute with staff – more than 2 months prior to Professor Boyne’s and Ms Dyker’s eyebrow-raising 230km (144 mile) taxi ride.
17 days ahead of Sep’ 23rd, ScotRail confirmed the temporary timetable would continue running until the end of the month with tickets for cancelled September trains removed from retailing platforms, raising questions about which transport options were considered by the SMT duo.
ScotRail told The Gaudie that Glasgow-Aberdeen trains operated as planned under the temporary timetable on the day, with the final service departing on time at 19:37 and earlier services at 17:41 and 18:41 also running as scheduled.
UoA shared, “there were no alternative arrangements provided by the train operator following the cancellation of service.”
In contrast, ScotRail said, “customers can use their tickets to travel on an alternative service, or the day before or two days after their planned journey,” raising the question of whether George Boyne and Debbie Dyker considered using an earlier train service.
A UoA staff member questioned the “cavalier approach to spending university funds.” They pointed out:
“This is not something that an ordinary member of staff would have been able to do. It is especially galling in the light of the huge salaries paid to these two individuals.”
The University’s expenses policy states: “Due to the cost implications, taxis should not be used for journeys of excessive length nor when a reasonable method of public transport is available.”
CityLink confirmed that their 22:40 and 23:40 M9 bus services to Aberdeen ran as normal.
UCU Aberdeen commented: “In line with the University’s commitment to consider both environmental sustainability and cost in planning travel, the Principal might instead have opted for an earlier train, or even a bus, free to those who qualify for a National Entitlement Card. Management should lead by example in keeping expenses to a minimum.”
The fare paid was up to 74% higher than alternatives, with seven companies offering fares lower than £400, including Glas Go Cabs who quoted a range of £230-250 for a weekday night taxi to Aberdeen.
Our findings come after Principal Boyne told staff at meetings that everyone has a role to play in making savings where possible to tackle the University’s budget gap.
The Gaudie asked for context of the trip, and if other transport options were considered by SMT.
A UoA spokesperson replied: “Our colleagues were in a situation late at night where the train had been cancelled and therefore they sought an alternative means of travel. This was an unusual circumstance, there were no alternative arrangements provided by the train operator, and they took the steps necessary to return home that night ahead of diary commitments the next morning.”
On 10th July, University of Aberdeen shared further details about insurance:
“[George Boyne’s and Debbie Dyker’s] trip was covered by the University’s insurance.
“An insurance claim could be made for the difference in value between the taxi fare and the refunded tickets. At the time of your request [(Apr 27th)], no claim had been submitted for the additional costs, and no correspondence was held with the insurance provider for this journey.”
On 30th June, this article was edited to include newly received information from ScotRail about the date of train cancellations.
On 12th July, this article was edited to include details shared by University of Aberdeen confirming insurance coverage for the trip and no insurance claim being submitted.
