Scottish transport minister, Jenny Gilruth has confirmed that ScotRail services will transition to public ownership on 1 April.
The date had been mentioned previously, but with April close on the horizon, Transport Scotland described the minister’s statement to Parliament as “confirmation” of when the change will take place.
Gilruth has also asked elected members and rail unions to take part in a “national conversation“ on the future of rail services. The hope is this will help shape the creation of an affordable, sustainable, customer-focused rail passenger service in Scotland in a post-pandemic world.
Information on how people can get involved will be provided in the coming weeks.
She added that she is looking forward to 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.
The new company will – like most other public sector, arm’s length operations – fall under public sector pay policy.
Ms Gilruth said: “I can confirm that the transition of ScotRail into Scottish Government control will take place on 1 April 2022. Whilst that’s good news, it’s clear that much work still needs to be done – and in a collaborative way – to ensure the long term sustainability of rail operations in Scotland, to best meet the needs of the people we all represent.
“I want to kick-start a national conversation about what our new beginning for ScotRail should look like – an affordable, sustainable, customer-focused rail passenger service in Scotland in a post-pandemic world. I invite all members who have a genuine interest in the future of ScotRail to get involved and work with me to shape the change that needs to happen. Change will happen on 1 April – so let’s have a conversation about that change, and let’s work together to influence how that happens. After all, we all want a railway that delivers for our constituents.
“Our rail staff have a vital role to play in shaping and delivering a successful future railway for Scotland. Like so many of our essential workers, ScotRail staff, and indeed, all our rail workers, went above and beyond throughout the pandemic. We will always be grateful to them for all that they did to help keep our rail services running during these challenging last two years.
“We want to take all of ScotRail’s staff with us on this journey into Scottish Government ownership. That’s why this invitation is also extended to the rail unions. We know the unions are passionate about the industry, and through open and frank discussion, we can work together to harness that aspiration for the future. I look forward to those conversations tomorrow.
“I also take the issue of women’s safety on public transport extremely seriously, and we will be consulting with women and women’s organisations across the country to better understand their experiences and how we can improve our public transport system to make it safer and more enjoyable for them to use.
“To meet our climate change targets, and our aim of reducing car kilometres by 20% by 2030 – we need Scotland’s railways. An efficient, effective, productive and profitable railway is critical to our Mission Zero ambition for transport. We want ScotRail to deliver the rail services the people of Scotland – and the generations yet to come – need and deserve.”
