The
Alliance


agreement
between
ScotRail
and
Network
Rail
has
been
updated,
and
railway
chiefs
are
hailing
it
as
a
‘great
opportunity’.

The
original
agreement
dates
back
to
2015,
when
Abellio
had
the
ScotRail
franchise.
This
changed
in
2020
as
a
result
of
the
Covid
pandemic,
and
was
ended
in
2022
when
the
Scottish
Government
used
a
‘break
point’
in
the
contract
to
terminate
it.

As
a
result
the
former
franchise
was
nationalised,
while
Network
Rail
passed
wholly
to
the
public
sector
in
2014
and
is
set
to
change
again
when
Great
British
Railways
takes
over
nearly
all
rail
infrastructure.

Meanwhile,
the
new
agreement
sets
out
the
priorities
for
investment
by
Network
Rail
Scotland,
and
several
projects
require
closer
working
between
the
two
bodies.

Work
is
also
being
carried
out
to
identify
specific
areas
where
greater
integration
will
provide
a
better
service.

The
outcome
of
this
work
will
be
reported
to
the
Alliance
Executive
by
the
end
of
March
2025.
Oversight
will
be
provided
by
the
Alliance
Board,
which
consists
of
representatives
from
ScotRail,
Network
Rail,
ScotRail’s
owner
Scottish
Rail
Holdings
and
Transport
Scotland.

ScotRail
managing
director
Joanne
Maguire
said:
‘The
best
way
to
deliver
a
safe,
reliable,
and
green
railway
in
Scotland
is
for
ScotRail
and
Network
Rail
to
work
together
as
much
as
possible,
while
recognising
that
we
remain
two
separate
companies.

‘The
signing
of
a
strengthened
Alliance
Agreement
is
a
great
opportunity
to
work
even
more
closely
with
Network
Rail.
We
are
committed
to
greater
integration
to
ensure
the
best
possible
service
for
our
passengers
and
freight
customers.’

Network
Rail
Scotland
managing
director
Liam
Sumpter
added:
‘Through
taking
more
opportunities
to
work
together
and
collaborate,
we
can
continue
to
develop
a
safer
and
more
reliable
railway.’