Financial support extended for rail services in Scotland

The minister for transport in Scotland has said that emergency support for rail services will carry on into the next year.

Emergency Measures Agreements, which temporarily vary the terms of franchise agreements, and which were extended from September to December 2021, will now be in place until February 2022.

They were set up to help rail services as the country continues to deal with the pandemic.

Because of reduced passenger revenues linked to COVID-19, the Scottish Government said it continues to provide Abellio ScotRail Limited and Serco Caledonian Sleepers Limited with sufficient additional funding to cover necessary operating costs. 

Scotland’s minister for transport, Graeme Dey, said: “We have agreed to provide further additional funding for Scotrail and Caledonian Sleeper franchises to ensure the continued sustainability of Scotland’s rail services for passengers.

“Given the challenging budgetary position in 2021-22, the agreements have been extended until February 2022 which will hopefully provide rail staff and suppliers with reassurance during this period.

“The Scottish Government will continue to work with our train operators, the rail industry and the UK Government during the coming months to understand the ongoing impact of the pandemic.”

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