Chamber and committees

The ScotRail Franchise Agreement requires that, so far as is reasonably practical and subject to the availability of appropriate space on trains, ScotRail ensure that reasonable facilities for the transport of bicycles is made available, to passengers. It is also a requirement of the ScotRail Franchise Agreement that staff are fully aware of cycle capacity and policies at stations and on trains, and that staff performance in this regard is monitored to ensure that cyclists are advised and accommodated appropriately. ScotRail are also required to ensure that their trains include a bicycle storage area with space for the storage of at least two bicycles in a dedicated area adjacent to an entrance vestibule.

Transport Scotland has reached agreement with ScotRail to increase the number of spaces available at intermediate stations from 2 to 4, with 6 spaces (3 per power car) available for end to end journeys on the HSTs which are planned to be introduced into service in the latter part of 2018.

The Caledonian Sleeper Franchise Agreement requires that, so far as is reasonably practical and subject to the availability of appropriate space on sleeper trains, Caledonian Sleeper ensure that reasonable facilities for the transport of bicycles on sleeper trains are made available, at no extra charge.

A study (Train2Ride), commissioned by HITRANS, and part funded by Transport Scotland, was conducted in July 2017 to establish the existing level of demand for on-train cycle carriage on ScotRail services on the West Highland line and on Serco Caledonian Sleeper services to Inverness and Fort William, and identify future trends and options for a managing the demand.

Prior to issuing the Invitation to Tender for the current ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper franchises, the Scottish Government conducted a comprehensive consultation exercise with its stakeholders. Caledonian Sleeper states that it has since conducted its own, ongoing consultation involving a wide range of stakeholders, including police, Transport Focus and user groups.

The decision to postpone its plans to end the "share with a stranger" fare option was for Caledonian Sleeper to make. My understanding is that it was able to do so due to its greater confidence over the date of entry into service of the new trains.

A study (Train2Ride), commissioned by HITRANS, and part funded by Transport Scotland, was conducted in July 2017 to establish the existing level of demand for on-train cycle carriage on ScotRail services on the West Highland line and on Caledonian Sleeper services to Inverness and Fort William, and identify future trends and options for a managing the demand.

ScotRail actively engages with MSPs on a range of different topics, from matters that affect their specific constituencies, such as timetable changes, as well as wider areas of interest. The Scottish Government encourages ScotRail to engage with MSPs, other stakeholders, passengers and the community at large.

The Scottish Government has been pressing the UK Government for some time now for the full devolution of the Network Rail Scotland route. Strengthened accountability to the Scottish Parliament and improved governance arrangements will improve efficiency and the ability of Network Rail to respond to the requirements of the users of Scotland’s rail network.

The UK Government’s decision to move Network Rail funding to a Grant basis from 2019 means that the need for change is now a matter of urgency. Initial discussions took place between officials from Transport Scotland and the UK Department for Transport at the end of last year. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Constitution also wrote to the Secretary of State for Transport on 27th February seeking a speedy conclusion to this matter.

I recently wrote to the Secretary of State for Transport about Network Rail and the letter is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. Number 59598 )

The operating company (OC) contracts in the SW Unit (Scotland Transerv) and NW Unit (BEAR Scotland) have been extended by approximately 

‎ 2 years. Therefore four of the OC contracts (NW, NE, SE and SW Units) are due to expire in August 2020, with the Forth Bridges due to expire in May 2020. These dates are subject to change as they are currently being considered in conjunction with a review of our operational requirements to inform the development of the next generation (5G) of contracts. We expect to have finalised our contract requirements and commenced the 5G procurement competition by the end of 2018.

As stated in S5W-14173, Transport Scotland will continue with research to better understand the economic and welfare impacts resulting from severe weather disruption to the trunk road network, alongside the cost benefit analysis of investing in the winter service.

I am currently considering the suitability of existing public sector bodies to bid for the franchise contract and the steps required to create a new public sector body, if it is necessary to do so.

Though complex, we are making good progress with the work and in the Spring I expect to identify a suitable public sector body to make a bid.