Transport Scotland

Transport Scotland is the national transport agency for Scotland, responsible for the ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper franchises as well as planning and delivering rail policy, strategy and development in Scotland

The Transport Scotland Rail Directorate is responsible for planning and delivering rail policy, strategy and development. It carries out appraisals of capital projects, advises on rail investment decisions and provides the specification of railway outputs that the Scottish Government will wish to buy. The Rail directorate is also responsible for managing the ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper franchise contracts, specifying and funding Network Rail’s high-level delivery responsibilities in Scotland, and liaising with the Office of Rail and Road in specifying and funding the outputs expected from Network Rail.

Transport Scotland has invested over £9 billion in the railway since 2007, which has resulted in:

• New fleets of modern electric trains.

• New and improved services through the ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper franchises.

• 47 miles of new railway, including the Borders Railway.

• 252 miles of electrified lines.

• 16 new stations.

ScotRail services has moved into Scottish Government ownership as the ScotRail franchise has ended. The services will be provided within the public sector, by an arm’s length company owned and controlled by the Scottish Government. This is a result of the Scottish Government’s decision to run ScotRail services through what is known as the ‘Operator of Last Resort’. ScotRail staff will transfer to the new Scottish Government owned entity, with their terms and conditions protected. Transport Minister, Jenny Gilruth, has expressed an interest in working closely with wider partners including women’s organisations and British Transport Police to improve the public transport system, make it safer and build on the work already underway.

Transport Scotland’s vision, as set out in the National Transport Strategy (NTS2), is for Scotland to have a sustainable, inclusive, safe and accessible transport system which will help to deliver a healthier, fairer and more prosperous Scotland for communities, businesses and visitors. The second Delivery Plan for Scotland’s National Transport Strategy has been published, setting out the actions underway for 2022 to 2023. It recognises the key role that transport has in reducing inequalities, delivering inclusive economic growth, improving health and wellbeing, and tackling the climate emergency. At the heart of the Strategy is the recognition to deliver a step-change in behaviour and provide attractive, affordable, accessible and sustainable travel options.

Transport Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government and is accountable to Parliament and the public through Scottish Ministers. Transport Scotland also provides input from a Scottish perspective on reserved rail issues such as: European directives, cross-border rail franchises, the Equality Act and safety and standards.

The rail freight sector is a vital part of Scotland’s economy. The Scottish Government’s vision is for a competitive, sustainable rail freight sector that plays a significant and increasingly important role in Scotland’s economic growth and provides a safer, greener and more efficient way of transporting goods and materials.

This vision is backed by a £25 million Scottish Strategic Rail Freight Fund for the period 2019 to 2024. The fund will support the development and delivery costs of proposals for minor-medium freight interventions aimed at improving the capacity and capability of the Scottish network for rail freight.

There are currently 360 railway stations in Scotland. Network Rail manages Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley. The railway station at Prestwick Airport is owned and managed by the airport authority. The rest are leased to and operated by ScotRail. Scottish stations have improved significantly after considerable investment over the last few years. ScotRail has invested around £20 million in delivering front line improvements to passenger facilities at stations. The Scottish Government announced in 2019 a £25 million investment into rail freight over the next five years in a bid to strengthen the industry.

Transport Scotland aims to make travel as accessible and affordable as possible. To achieve this, we offer concessionary travel for young Scots, disabled travellers, over 60s and ferry passengers. They are committed to ensuring that their facilities are maintained and improved over the course of the current franchise, with further investments being made at stations to support smart ticketing and integrated travel.

Investment includes enhanced cycle facilities, upgraded ticket vending machines, multi-modal customer information screens and smart ticketing equipment.

Interim Chief Executive: Hugh Gillies

Director of Rail: Bill Reeve

Interim Director of Transport Strategy and Analysis: Fiona Brown

Director of Low Carbon Economy: Stuart Greig

Address: Buchanan House, 58 Port Dundas Road, Glasgow G4 0HF

Tel: 0141 272 7100

Email: info@transport.gov.scot

Visit: www.transport.gov.scot