This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New trains for Edinburgh-Glasgow
16/03/2004
The first eight of 29 new trains bound for the Scottish
rail network will be introduced on one of Scotland's
busiest commuter routes from this week.
Their arrival will result in an extra 2,500 seats in
total on the Glasgow to Edinburgh peak hour services.
Transport Minister Nicol Stephen made the announcement
as he visited the site of the old Eastfield depot, north
Glasgow, which is being re-opened with £14 million of
Executive investment from the Integrated Transport
Fund.
It closed in 1994 after 90 years service but will now be
used to store and clean the new trains.
Mr Stephen said:
"These new trains will help tackle overcrowding on
Scotland's busiest commuter route. By increasing capacity
and improving journey quality we are determined to make
public transport a more attractive option.
"The first of these new trains will result in a 37 per
cent increase in seats available on the Glasgow to
Edinburgh route.
At a cost of £4 million each, these new trains are part
of our biggest single investment in rail to date. In total
more than £100 million is being committed to these new
trains, delivering a better deal for rail passengers.
"This new investment will also allow us to replace some
of the older and poorer quality trains. Many passengers
will benefit from modern cleaner and more reliable
services.
"We have also started work to extend platforms at more
than 20 stations across Scotland. This will allow us to
accommodate the new longer trains. All 29 trains should be
in place by Spring next year."
The 29 new trains will increase Scotland's rolling stock
fleet by 10 extra three-carriage trains plus an additional
12 which will replace some of the oldest and poorest
quality rolling stock such as the class 150s.
One of the trains is being funded by Strathclyde
Passenger Transport.
The new trains will be taken on by the successful bidder
for the new Scottish passenger rail franchise.
The remaining trains will be used to provide longer
trains on journeys to Fife, Dunblane and Bathgate as well
as Aberdeen and Inverness.
The Minister said that £14 million will be used for the
increased maintenance and cleaning requirements of the new
trains. A new and expanded depot for fuelling, cleaning and
housing trains overnight is being built at Eastfield in
Glasgow. Improvements will also be made at Haymarket in
Edinburgh, Perth and Inverness and will be completed in
time for the new trains which are expected to be in place
by Spring 2005.