RAIL and rail services

In addition to the introduction of new Edinburgh - Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP) services Transport Scotland, in partnership with Network Rail, has delivered a number of key infrastructure improvements including the electrification at Haymarket Tunnel.

Work on the Paisley Corridor Improvements project
(Courtesy of Network Rail)

New steps, escalators and canopy at Edinburgh
Waverley Station
(Courtesy of Network Rail)

An example of the polytunnel, to help de-ice trains during severe weather
(Courtesy of ScotRail)

In January 2012 Network Rail announced a £55 million package of contract awards in respect of route clearance works in advance of the EGIP route electrification and the redevelopment of Haymarket Station.

The re-opened Airdrie to Bathgate Rail Link resulted in a large boost in passenger numbers along the route. Four trains per hour were introduced in May and usage figures at Armadale, Blackridge and Caldercruix are on target to meet their initial forecasts. ScotRail also increased services between Inverness and the central belt on the Highland mainline as well as Edinburgh - Dunbar and Glasgow - Dundee routes.

Through the Scottish Government's investment in rail services' ScotRail provides around 2'300 train services every day in Scotland. In 2011/12 over 80 million passenger journeys were made, an increase of over 30% over the last eight years. ScotRail completed its commitment to Scottish Ministers to invest £40 million with around £20 million delivering front-line passenger facilities including new lifts at Haymarket, ticket office refurbishments, new toilets, platform shelters, customer help points and CCTV.

The £430 million invested in new class 380 trains has delivered around 7,500 extra seats on routes in Ayrshire, Inverclyde and Lothian. This has allowed a further cascade of existing rolling stock to provide additional capacity on peak services on routes in and out of Glasgow, delivering more than 1,100 extra seats.

A wide-ranging consultation into rail passenger services was carried out, the results of which will inform decisions on the next ScotRail franchise and future funding arrangements for Network Rail. The Rail 2014 consultation ran from November 2011 to February 2012 and involved meetings and events across the country. It generated considerable interest and over 1,200 responses were received.

Other significant milestones included:

Edinburgh - Glasgow Smartcard customers now have the facility to purchase their ticket on-line via ScotRail's website
substantial completion of the Paisley Corridor Improvements (PCI) project in February 2012, with work ongoing to develop further service enhancements in the December 2012 timetable
working together with First ScotRail and Network Rail to ensure they are better equipped to keep rail disruption to a minimum during severe weather and improve the communication flow to staff and customers, secured through a package of investment in excess of £2.2 million
opening of the new steps and escalators at Edinburgh Waverley Station in January 2012, improving access for passengers with mobility impairments, prams and luggage
work beginning on the Highland Main Line Improvements Project and in December 2011 the number of trains increased from nine to 11 per day
working with Network Rail to deliver the Borders Railway project which will deliver major economic and social development opportunities and offer a fast and efficient railway that will be a real alternative to the road network