Chamber and committees

Have you picked up on any lessons over the past year, since ScotRail came under the Scottish Government’s direct control?

Okay. Mick Hogg, would you like to tell us anything from your experience of what has happened for staff and passengers over the past year?

Good morning—it is still just morning. Is it correct to say that you think that it is realistic for Scotland’s railways to be decarbonised by 2035?

In doing that, are you considering new alternative technologies, such as hydrogen or battery electric trains, or are those not sufficiently advanced to be part of your planning?

In those discussions with the Scottish Government and energy suppliers, did you consider whether, because the sources of renewable energy are in the north-east and the other places that you have just described, there might be a more integrated approach to take on delivering railway energy and train services in future?

Finally, are any of your current major infrastructure projects not on time or not on budget? David Lowrie talked about the need for modal shift. Clearly, if we want to stop increasing numbers of commuters driving into Edinburgh, the proposed developer-led Winchburgh station will provide good relief, and I am expecting to hear from Network Rail and others about the report that is being prepared at the request of the former transport minister and which will help set out revised costings.

So, there are two parts to my question—one national and one local.

Local, but with implications for Edinburgh and the modal shift that David Lowrie referred to.

Good morning and thank you for joining us. I direct my first questions to Robert Samson from Transport Focus. What have your passengers been experiencing over the past year? What are they telling you?

Your study has identified value for money as passengers’ number 1 priority but states that only 65 per cent of ScotRail passengers consider their trips value for money. What is your view on that situation? How can it be improved? Are you considering any lessons from other rail services elsewhere in the United Kingdom and across Europe?

There is quite a lot in there, but it is an opening to give your view on where we are now and what you think could be improved, particularly around value for money.

I asked you about what has happened in the past year. You have set out what you think is needed for the future but, before I move on to Gary Kelly, do you want to say anything about what your experience has been over the past year?

I am happy to move on, convener.