Scotland’s Fleet Transition Plan
Our Rail Recharged: Scotland’s Fleet Transition Strategy document sets the backbone of rail delivery for the next 20 years. It details how we will continue to develop a rail network in an affordable manner, that drives innovation, creates skilled employment and contributes to inclusive and economic growth.
Decarbonising passenger rail services
Plans to modernise Scotland’s passenger rail services have been published by Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport. This includes plans to decarbonise Scotland rail passenger services by 2045 in line with the Climate Change Act.
Scotland has an extensive railway network, it connects our cities, towns and villages for business and leisure travel, supports access to healthcare, education, and training facilities. We are committed to facilitating these vital connections with rail services that are reliable, resilient and cater to passenger needs.
Our Strategy outlines the taking actions we are taking together with industry partners, to replace ScotRail trains that are reaching the end of their useable life. As a key component of Scotland’s transport system, our strategy to replace ScotRail’s fleet is a central part of delivering the strategic vision set by Transport Scotland.
National Transport Strategy
Our National Transport Strategy sets out a 20 year plan to support our priorities to reduce inequalities, take climate action, help to deliver inclusive economic growth and to improve our health and wellbeing. Scotland’s railway directly supports these four priorities.
Modernising Scotland's railway
The Scottish Government is committed to building on its impressive record of modernising Scotland’s railway: this strategy demonstrates how train fleets will be replaced to achieve this and to sustain the long-term resilience and reliability of our passenger services.
Speaking about the Strategy, Fiona Hyslop said:
“I am pleased to introduce our fleet transition strategy for Scotland’s railway. This has been developed in line with the commitment made within the Rail Services Decarbonisation Action Plan to review the progress that has been made towards decarbonising Scotland’s rail services, whilst acknowledging the challenges and opportunities that the Scottish Government and rail industry has faced since the plan was first published in 2020.”
“This plan comes at a critical time for Scotland’s railway, particularly as two thirds of ScotRail’s passenger trains are approaching the end of their usable life. Our strategy recognises the need to replace our trains in order to sustain the resilience and reliability of our rail services, which is essential to encourage more people to make sustainable travel choices.”
“This strategy outlines the journey we will take to introduce this new rolling stock to our rail network and how this will sustain the future reliability of our InterCity, Suburban and Rural services for the long term. I look forward to seeing how this journey continues to evolve, as we work with our delivery partners to provide a rail system that is operationally, financially, and environmentally sustainable and delivers for the people of Scotland.”
Building on work on our strong track record
The Barrhead Line was recently electrified in December 2023. Very shortly in December 2025, the East Kilbride will also be electrified.
This builds on other recent electrification schemes, such as Edinburgh – Glasgow, Cumbernauld Line, the Shotts Line, and Glasgow/Edinburgh to Dunblane and Alloa.
On 5 September 2025, it was announced that the Scottish Government is investing £342 million to electrify the Fife and Borders routes to facilitate the introduction of battery-electric trains. In conjunction with this, ScotRail has been authorised to procure the new battery-electric fleet required for Fife and Borders services, along with new electric trains for the Glasgow Suburban area. This investment will benefit 30% of Scotland’s passengers through the introduction of newer, more reliable and energy efficient trains.
We are already taking action to improve the affordability and attractiveness of rail. It is imperative that we have a reliable and resilient fleet that caters to our passengers’ needs to ensure more people can benefit from their publicly-owned rail services, new stations, and a more affordable fare system. Our fleet transition strategy will support this while advancing the rail sector’s continuing work to become net zero by 2045.
This strategy outlines the journey we will take to introduce this new rolling stock to our rail network and how this will sustain the future reliability of our InterCity, Suburban and Rural services for the long term.
Further information
If you would like any further information about the Rail Recharged: Scotland’s Fleet Transition Strategy document, please contact our Rail Directorate Communications Team.