Introduction

In June 2023 a government Gateway Review was undertaken on behalf of Transport Scotland (TS) in response their obligation to review the Framework Agreement within 12 months of its commencement. At the time of its completion the review found that the Framework Agreement and the Policy Compendium for ScotRail Trains Ltd (SRT) was produced in some haste in order to establish a contractual relationship between TS and Scottish Rail Holdings Ltd (SRH).

Furthermore, while the Gateway Review recognised that the Policy Compendium was well written, significant issues were found that if not addressed could lead to the Framework Agreement not remaining current and possibly constraining the intended alignment of rail policy to SG’s Purpose and National Outcomes.

In response, TS have undertaken a review of SRH’s performance against the SRT Policy Compendium and the findings from this review are being used to inform and shape the first periodic review of the SRT Policy Compendium.

Purpose of the Assessment

The Policy Compendium sets out a number of policy outcomes and this review looks at how SRH have been delivering against these. It also looks to identify how the policy outcomes align with the National Transport Strategy (NTS) priorities and the National Performance Framework (NPF).

The findings from this review are being used to inform the first periodic review of the SRT Policy Compendium and the development of Key Performance Indicators for each policy outcome.

Assessment Scope

At present there are two Train Operating Companies covered under the Public Ownership arrangements – SRT and the Caledonian Sleeper Ltd (CSL). When this review commenced the mobility arrangements for brining CSL into public ownership had just recently concluded, meaning that there had been little time afforded for SRH to start fully implementing the CSL Policy Compendium.

As a result this situation report will solely focus on the SRT Policy Compendium.

While this review was being conducted, TS and SRH have been focussing on strengthening the governance arrangements and reporting, and as a result it is anticipated that the review of CSL policy delivery will be completed by the end of this autumn.

Approach to the Assessment and Evidence Used

This Situation Report is evidence based and reflects the views of TS, based on the information obtained and evaluated.

SRH have been able to provide TS with a short report on SRT delivery against the Policy Compendium and SRT have provided SRH with the required, Annual Business Plans and reports on their policy performance.

In addition, TS have published the Policy Compendium, and the annual National Transport Strategy Delivery Plan as well as the Second Strategic Transport Projects Review. The Scottish Government have also published their annual Programmes for Government and are currently in the process of updating the NPF.

Each Policy Statement contained within the SRT Policy Compendium has been individually assessed. The findings set out in this report are at a strategic level, however, they are based on individual assessments of each policy set out in the SRT Policy Compendium.