Faster Glasgow-Edinburgh rail journeys 'to start in 2018'

Date: 31/5/2013

Plans to cut rail journey times between Glasgow and Edinburgh from 50 minutes to 42 will not be realised until 2018, Transport Minister Keith Brown has told MSPs.

While the electrification of the line is set to be completed by 2016, quicker trains will not be operating on the route until two years later in order to allow the slower-accelerating diesel engine stock to be phased out.

Mr Brown said: "By December 2018, we will complete the electrification of the Stirling-Alloa-Dunblane line services and [have] delivered a 42-minute fastest journey time between Edinburgh and Glasgow."

However, Scottish Labour's Richard Baker criticised the announcement, explaining how it had been expected that the 42-minute route would be introduced in 2016 as soon as the electrification of the line is completed.

"It's laughable that Transport Scotland and Keith Brown are describing Egip as 'on track' when they have already cut funding and are now announcing further delays to the schedule," he said.

But a spokesperson for Transport Scotland maintained that there had not been any promise that a 42-minute Glasgow-Edinburgh journey would be operating in 2016.

The £650 million project has faced problems in the past, and the Minister was forced to set out a revised plan for the initiative in July 2012.

Despite the issues with the scheme, Transport Scotland continues to take measures in an effort to improve passenger experience on the nation's trains.

Indeed, earlier in May it was announced that 25 ScotRail stations will be fitted with free wi-fi technology, while all of the operator's Class 380 trains will also offer internet connectivity by March 2014.

"We are committed to ensuring that rail travel across Scotland is an attractive option for tourists, commuters and business users," Mr Brown said.

He added that the move is part of attempts to ensure Scotland's transport network is prepared to handle the demands of an increasing number of passengers during the Commonwealth Games next year.

Posted by Mary Treen

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