Rail Policy and Strategy

Scotland’s Economic Strategy sets out an overarching framework for how we aim to achieve a more productive, cohesive and fairer Scotland. It prioritises boosting investment and innovation, supporting inclusive growth and maintaining our focus on increasing internationalisation.

Rail is part of the fabric of Scotland’s economy, providing vital public services by connecting people with destinations and goods with markets. It supports our economic competitiveness by:

• offering fast routes to employment for commuters
• linking our cities with the rest of Great Britain, making our nation a more attractive place to not only live and work, but also do business
• moving goods around the nation and bringing customers to businesses
• connecting tourists to world-famous destinations and attractions up and down the country.

Our rail directorate is responsible for planning and delivering rail policy, strategy and development. As part of this, we:

• carry out appraisals of capital projects
• advise on rail investment decisions
• provide the specification of railway outputs that the Scottish Government will wish to buy

We also provide input from a Scottish perspective on reserved rail issues such as:

• cross-border rail franchises
• the Equality Act
• safety and standards

Strategy publications

Rail Enhancements and Capital Investment Strategy

Through the Rail Enhancements and Capital Investment Strategy we set out our approach to planning and funding rail projects. It takes a strategic approach to all rail capital investments with a particular focus on making best use of the opportunities presented by major renewals. It also sets out the governance and decision-making processes for future investment in the railway network in Scotland.

The £2m Local Rail Development Fund is available to any stakeholder organisation with a responsibility or interest in local transport issues. It provides funding for organisations to carry out a multi-modal transport appraisal which could potentially bring forward proposals for improvements to rail connections in their area. 

There has been significant interest in the Local Rail Development Fund to date, with a total of £1,498,000 allocated from both the first and second rounds. 

If the completed appraisals provide robust Strategic Business Cases for progressing rail options, we will consider the projects for potential further funding or support through the pipeline process which is outlined in its Rail Enhancements and Capital Investment Strategy.

There are no current plans to re-advertise the Local Rail Development Fund for new applications.

Control Period 7 2024 - 2029

High Level Output Specification (HLOS) and Statement of Funds Available (SoFA) for Rail Control Period 7 (2024-2029)

The Scottish Ministers’ High Level Output Specification (HLOS) for Control Period 7 (2024 -2029) sets out what high level outputs they want Network Rail to achieve in Scotland in return for the funding available - the Statement of Funds Available (SoFA). Some requirements are being delivered jointly as part of the Alliance with ScotRail. 

Cross-border Rail

Cross border rail services link communities and businesses in Scotland to those within England and Wales.

Cross border passenger services are specified and awarded by the Department for Transport (with the exception of The Caledonian Sleeper services). The Scottish Ministers are entitled to offer advice on the specification of these services as they relate to Scotland.

Creating a platform for growth

Transporting goods by rail is a key lever to drive down transport emissions and is a vital part of Scotland's economy, providing a safer, greener and more efficient way of transporting goods and materials. The Scottish Government's vision, as outlined in our rail freight strategy, is for a competitive, sustainable rail freight sector, one that plays an increasingly significant role in Scotland's economic growth. Our guide from 2017 provides more practical information for business looking to move products by rail.

The Scottish Government has shown genuine leadership in supporting rail freight growth. Our approach is based on partnership working. The role of Government is to put policies in place that facilitate modal shift and our first of a kind growth targets have put a real and tangible focus on freight. These targets incentivise Network Rail to work with the industry to grow rail freight in Scotland and this collaborative approach has resulted in the development of detailed and robust plans for longer term growth.

Investment

Investment is another key lever for growth. Benefits for rail freight are included in our rail infrastructure projects. Our collaborative approach to growing rail freight also includes working with customers to support third party investment in new and upgraded freight facilities through our capital freight grants. Read more information on these grants.

Who to contact

If you are interested in learning more about rail freight or moving product by rail, our colleagues at Network Rail would be delighted to help you. Please contact Anne MacKenzie (anne.mackenzie@networkrail.co.uk) the Senior Regional Freight Manager at Network Rail or Cal Logan (cal.logan@networkrail.co.uk) the Lead Route Freight Manager for further information.

Efficient, accessible and integrated stations are crucial to the passenger experience and to ensuring rail is an attractive travel choice which encourages more people out their cars and onto public transport.

There are currently 362 railway stations in Scotland with the vast majority leased to and operated by ScotRail. Network Rail manages Glasgow Central (high level) and Edinburgh Waverley. The Prestwick Airport station is owned and managed by the airport authority.

In recent years significant investment has been made in improving railway stations, from front line improvements to passenger facilities such as:

• better waiting facilities
• additional CCTV and upgrades
• new customer information screens
• new ticket vending machines
• more cycle spaces
• electric charging bays for vehicles

for more information on stations in Scotland visit Station Spaces.

Developing and implementing an efficient timetable for the Scottish rail network is a key component of Transport Scotland’s rail strategy. Effective timetabling delivers strong connectivity and value for money by making best use of available resources. It also supports reliable and punctual services, reduces journey times where appropriate, and enables the full benefits of new infrastructure and rolling stock to be realised.

Annual timetable change

Timetable changes are developed and proposed based on engagement between stakeholders, who include:

• Transport Scotland
• Regional Transport Partnerships
• Department for Transport (for Anglo-Scottish trains)
• Freight Operating Companies
• ScotRail
• Caledonian Sleeper
• Scottish Rail Holdings
• Network Rail

The rail timetable is generally updated twice a year, in May and December although this can vary. Most changes are minor, involving small adjustments to train times to improve performance or connections. However, significant revisions can occur, particularly to accommodate infrastructure upgrades or the introduction of new trains.

ScotRail adjusts its timetable in response to evolving travel patterns and shifts in the rail travel market. While timetable changes are primarily an operational matter managed by the operator, Transport Scotland ensures that Scottish Government policies and strategies inform service planning decisions.

Development work on a new timetable involves detailed modelling of passenger demand for services and associated changes. It must also involve an estimation of resourcing costs, performance reliability and a level of consultation on any proposals.

Some timetable changes require the negotiation of commercial changes to the terms of any contracts with operators, to reflect cost and revenue changes.

Proposed timetable changes start to be developed well in advance of implementation to meet industry planning timescales. Below is the approximate timescale for implementing changes to the timetable:

• 36 – 24 months prior to change date. Work commences on initial timetable planning and development, with discussions between operators, funders and Network Rail, alongside engagement and consultation with stakeholders and passengers. This includes understanding the resourcing, costing, passenger demand and integration with other services.
• 16 months in advance. Network Rail, after discussion and engagement with operators and funders, establishes what long-term engineering work will need to take place during the period of the new timetable.
• 14 months in advance. Train and freight operating companies give Network Rail advance notice of any significant changes they wish to make to their current timetable.
• 10 months in advance Train and freight operating companies formally submit (‘bid’) their new timetable. For the next three months, Network Rail works on developing the new GB timetable from all these bids, checking for conflicts between different operators, and ensuring that trains can be run safely.
• 6 months in advance.Network Rail provides the rail industry with a national ‘base’ timetable, enabling operators to start planning logistics, produce rotas and train staff.
• 4 months in advance. Operators can ‘bid’ for readjustments to their new timetable to take into account such things as known special events or weekend engineering work. Network Rail again works through the bids for each and every week to ensure there are no conflicts and trains can be run safely.
• 3 months in advance. The new timetable for each week is finalised and the railway industry formally publishes the timetable to passengers. Advance tickets go on sale.
• Day of timetable change. The new timetable comes in to operation.

More information

• The technical process of timetable planning and timetable changes
• Current ScotRail timetables 
• Current Caledonian Sleeper timetable

Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government recognise that people make Scotland’s Railway as success and are therefore committed to engaging with communities to help address a wide range of interests along Scotland’s rail corridors. 

Community rail activity supports inclusive travel, enhances station environments and delivers social, environmental and economic benefits for local communities.

ScotRail’s Community Rail Strategy

ScotRail has committed £250,000 of their annual subsidy from the Scottish Government to support the delivery of its Community Rail Strategy. This is spread across support for Community Rail Partnership, wider community rail initiatives, Adopt-a-Station programme, Schools & Young People programme, First-time Traveller programme and ScotRail Charity programme.

ScotRail are committed to annually reporting to Scottish Rail Holdings on how the Strategy is being delivered. 

• Read further information about ScotRail’s Community Rail Strategy

Maximising safety for all passengers and staff is a key priority for the Scottish Government and our rail delivery partners.

We know most rail passengers make their journeys responsibly, with respect and consideration for fellow passengers and rail staff, however, there is a small minority of people who travel on our trains who behave inappropriately.

We know that safety and security are key factors in making the decision to use rail services, especially in the evenings. We are determined to make travelling by train feel safe for everyone, especially women and girls, and we have been guided by the Women and girls' safety on public transport research conducted by Transport Scotland.

In May 2025, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport announced a package of strengthened measures to tackle antisocial behaviour on Scotland’s railway. These were developed with our key delivery partners; ScotRail, British Transport Police, Network Rail, Scottish Rail Holdings, and the rail trade unions. The suite of initiatives included the following measures:

• This includes the introduction of an ongoing programme of enhanced conflict management training for all front-line ScotRail staff.
• Further promotion of the existing station “help points” as a source of support for passengers feeling vulnerable.
• Increased staff presence, including the expansion of ScotRail’s ‘Travel Safe Team’ to the East of Scotland.
• Recruitment of around 100 new ticket examiner staff.
• Encouraging more staff to use Body Worn Video cameras.
• More investment in the CCTV network.
• The formation of a Working Group to review police enforcement powers on Scotland’s railway.

Rail Enforcement Powers Working Group

The Rail Enforcement Powers Working Group was convened in May 2025. The Group is made up of representatives from across the rail industry and criminal justice system, including; ScotRail, British Transport Police, Network Rail, Scottish Rail Holdings, all four rail trade unions and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. The Group is chaired by Transport Scotland and support is provided through the Scottish Government’s criminal law and safer communities directorates.

The Working Group was tasked with mapping and assessing current police enforcement powers and their effectiveness, with a view to considering where these can be strengthened or developed further in order to maximise passenger and staff safety.

The Group has shared its final report and recommendations with Scottish Ministers.