SCOTRAIL TO BE NATIONALISED
Scottish Government all set to take control in spring 2022
RAIL services are to be nationalised in Scotland when under-fire private firm Abellio’s contract runs out, the Scottish Government has announced.
Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said an arm’s length company “owned and controlled” by the Government will take over when the current franchise expires next spring.
The Government previously announced that Abellio’s contract would not continue.
Ministers and the company could not reach agreement on cost and the firm also faced criticism over value for money and the punctuality of services.
Matheson confirmed that an “operator of last resort” will run ScotRail services after March 2022.
He said: “This means that from the expiry of the current franchise, ScotRail services will be provided within the public sector, by an arm’s length company owned and controlled by the Scottish Government.
“This will provide stability and certainty for passengers and staff and place the operation of ScotRail services in public hands from the end of the current contract.
“ScotRail staff will transfer to the new
Scottish Governmentowned company, with their terms and conditions protected.”
He added that he was unable to say at this stage how long this arrangement will be in place.
Responding, Scottish Greens transport spokesperson John Finnie said: “Greens have long called for public ownership of our railways, so we welcome this progress from the Scottish Government.
“Given Wales brought railways into public ownership last year, this has been a long time coming.
“Nationalisation of services is just the first step towards a greener, integrated public transport system which serves communities not shareholders.
“I’d urge the Scottish Government to look at the Scottish Greens’ £22billion ‘rail for all’ plans to modernise and upgrade Scotland’s railways, which included proposals to electrify lines and increase capacity across the network.”