New intercity trains are coming in the next few years and ScotRail are keen to work with the business community on setting priorities for a long-term rail future for our region.
These were the main messages from a packed business meeting in Inverness earlier this week which heard from Scott Prentice, Strategy and Planning Director for ScotRail about its new timetables, new trains, and long-term plans.
Inverness Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive, Colin Marr, then chaired a robust question-and-answer session where the audience voiced their frustrations with the current ScotRail service but welcomed Scott’s honesty and candour, and his willingness to keep talking to us to design the best possible service for the future.
The conversations covered the service and timetables between Inverness and the central belt and Inverness and Aberdeen, as well as the local services north of Inverness and around the Cairngorm National Park.
The room was delighted to hear that there are plans for new trains in operation between Inverness and the central belt. The procurement of these is already underway, and if a business case can be demonstrated, the first trains could start to enter service in around two years. While these trains won’t be brand new, they will be modern and completely refurbished before coming into service. We also heard that ScotRail is keen to ensure that a new fleet brings with it improvements to the passenger experience as well as improving the reliability of the service, meaning that passengers can rely on the train they expect always being available. That will reduce the occasions where there are no seat reservations, no catering or the toilets are not at an acceptable standard.
Scott advised members to look out for announcements next week on an exciting trial to improve digital connectivity on trains in rural areas. The recent timetable changes, with more to come, were viewed as positive, if small, changes.
There was disappointment that there won’t be a step change in frequency of trains or reduction in journey duration and that plans for these, along with more passing loops and electrification of the network, are still at a very early stage – with no certainty of timing or what the scale of the improvements will be.
However, Scott’s candour about the issues that ScotRail are facing and the difficulty of timetabling trains on single track routes was hugely appreciated – as was his clear willingness to work with the business community to plan on the best possible future.
The event was convened by Inverness and Moray Chamber of Commerce and Prosper. We will take the opportunity of Scott’s offer of continuing to work them to help plan a better rail future for all of us.