Upgrade promise to rail commuters
MSPcalls foraction
Transport bosses have refused to commit to the electrification of the East Kilbride rail line.
But they say they will deliver upgraded carriages and increase capacity.
There have been repeated calls for electrification from councillors and MSPs to create a more sustainable service.
Overcrowding and delays have repeatedly frustrated commuters.
Transport Scotland commercial director Bill Reeve admitted he could not be certain of a start date for any potential project.
He was speaking at East Kilbride rail station as the first of the new upgraded 156 trains, used every day on the EK line, was introduced.
This scheme will see carriage standards improved over the next two years.
Mr Reeve said the priority is getting the newly-refurbished trains into service as soon as possible.
“We currently are reviewing options for future investments in rail lines in Scotland,” he continued.
“We have a good track record of electrification in Scotland and we are planning to maintain that.
“We don’t currently have the next steps finalised.
“What I will say is the electrification 270617rail_03 of the current routes is really helpful because as electrification becomes more prominent it allows us to move old trains away and on to new routes.
“From December there will be an increase in newer carriages and the number of carriages on the East Kilbride line.
“We already have plans up to and from December for East Kilbride and are now working on plans from that date.”
He went on: “We are really excited about the newly-refurbished 156 units.
“These have got improved seats for passengers, wifi and power sockets fitted as standard and seriously improve accessibility for wheelchairs.
“This is really bringing things up to the standards that the passengers have a right to expect.
“When passengers have a chance to have a look I think they will see that they are looking impressive.”
Scotrail engineering director Angus Thom said the new carriages would be the first of many spotted on the tracks over the coming two years. “This is the first of the fleet,” he said. “From September passengers will start seeing at least one carriage coming off the production line every month.
“Over the next two years every single one will be upgraded for the East Kilbride line.
“Each train will have the same upgrades that the one here today has.” A Central Scotland MSP has called on the Scottish Government to deliver a better train service for East Kilbride.
Tory Graham Simpson has written to Holyrood, repeating calls for electrification of the line.
The former East Kilbride West councillor also hopes plans to have two tracks from Busby will be pushed through.
Mr Simpson visited Scotrail’s control centre in Glasgow and discussed the problems facing staff as they battle to keep the single-line service running on time.
He dubbed the rail network in East Kilbride “second class” but praised Scotrail for investing.
“East Kilbride is proud of the fact it is Scotland’s first new town,” he said, “but sadly it is still suffering from a secondclass rail network many decades on.
“Speaking to the staff at Scotrail, they are doing a great job but with one hand tied behind their backs as they struggle to deliver the service that East Kilbride deserves.
“Rail travellers have been paying high prices to be crammed into trains, with many having to stand for their full journey.
“Fortunately Scotrail have listened and are going to invest in more rolling stock to alleviate this issue, with four carriages becoming the norm on all trains to East Kilbride by May of next year.
“It’s a start but what really needs done is for the government to finally do something about the woefully inadequate service being offered to the East Kilbride residents, compared to other areas of the country.
“East Kilbride is still growing and needs a transport infrastructure to reflect this, not just on the roads but the rail network needs to be looked at as a matter of urgency.”
A Scotrail Alliance spokesperson said: “We are committed to engaging with our local communities to provide the best possible service for our passengers.
“The class 156 fleet which serves the East Kilbride line is undergoing a refurbishment programme just now which will improve the on-train experience for customers.”