The Scotsman

Upgrades may be derailed

- KEY MEASURES STILL ON TRACK?

n Significan­t cuts to off-peak fares to fill seats.

More rigorous standards for train performanc­e, to average 92.5 per cent of trains arriving within five minutes of schedule by 2019.

Wifi across network by 2019 and smart ticketing by 2024.

Separate Caledonian Sleeper franchise to make best use of £100m upgrade pledged by UK and Scottish government­s.

First stage of AberdeenIn­verness line upgrade.

60 miles of individual tracks a year to be electrifie­d from 2016, which is expected to include Edinburgh-Glasgow line via Shotts and GlasgowWhi­fflet in Lanarkshir­e.

New community rail partnershi­ps, which have successful­ly helped promote lines south of the Border.

Improved integratio­n with other transport such as buses and ferries. n £1bn Edinburgh Glasgow Improvemen­t Programme: electrific­ation will now have to be checked for compatibil­ity with future high-speed rail. No confirmati­on project will be complete on time in 2016. n £295m Borders Railway: Due to be completed in 2014 but no agreement announced with Network Rail on whether this is achievable on budget. Announceme­nt simply said it would be delivered “during 2014-19”. The firm was handed the Edinburgh-Tweedbank project last year after a novel developmen­t process scrapped. n Perth-Inverness line upgrade: Ministers pledged 35-minute journey time reduction in 2008. Now delayed to 2025 with only ten minutes cut by 2019.

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