Transport Scotland plan to decarbonise passenger rail services by 2035
11 August 2020
Article: 54/3204
On 28 July 2020, the Scottish Government Transport Secretary, Michael Matheson, launched Transport Scotland’s ‘Rail services decarbonisation action plan’, detailing the strategy which aims to decarbonise Scotland’s rail passenger services by 2035.
This action plan focusses on decarbonising transport through modal shift to rail, and decarbonising rail traction energy through the removal of diesel passenger trains from the Scottish network by 2035. As Transport Scotland take this forward, they aim to:
• maximise all opportunities for modal shift to rail from private vehicles and heavy goods vehicles
• continue to provide reliable services
• optimise how they use rolling stock, creating more seats and services for passengers
• plan for a railway system where power use can be decarbonised efficiently
Preparatory work for the first electrification projects, on the East Kilbride and Barrhead lines, is already underway, with Anniesland/Maryhill and Borders routes also being progressed. Early work has also begun to assess how inter-city routes can be tackled to inform delivery programmes and funding decisions.