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Strategic Priorities For Scotland's Passenger Railway: Consultation Paper

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Consulting on priorities

1. We want all involved in the provision of rail services, together with customers and other stakeholders, to contribute to the Scottish Executive's thinking on strategic priorities for the development of Scotland's passenger railway over the next 15-20 years. By having a clearer idea of the expectations and aspirations of others we will be better placed to draft effective directions and guidance to the Strategic Rail Authority for the new Scottish franchise. The publication of this consultation paper marks the start of that process.

Setting out the Scottish Executive's strategic objectives and functions

2. In Section 1 we outline our vision and objectives for Scotland's passenger railway. We want it to play a full part in an integrated transport system, attract more customers and benefit from increased investment. (1.1, 1.2)

3. We expect the rail industry in Scotland to make a significant contribution to the sustainable development of Scotland's economy and communities; to help reduce road congestion; to improve accessibility to the transport system; and to assist the development of viable rural communities. (1.3)

4. Scotland's railways are an integral part of the GB network. Most aspects of the railway network are the responsibility of the UK Government. Nevertheless, the Scottish Ministers have important devolved powers that will have a significant impact on the provision of passenger rail services in Scotland. These will underpin the Scottish Executive's relationships with stakeholders in Scotland's railways such as local authorities, the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive ( SPTE ), the Strategic Rail Authority ( SRA ), and the rail industry itself. (1.4)

5. We want a new Scottish passenger rail franchise to deliver improved benefits for passengers. To secure these benefits the Scottish Executive will work very closely with the SRA to ensure that our directions and guidance are translated by the successful bidder into a practical, committed and cost effective programme of investment. (1.5)

Establishing priorities - attracting more people to rail

6. In Section 2 of the paper we propose a number of ways in which the railways could increase numbers of passengers in support of the Scottish Executive's aim to attract more people to public transport.

7. If more people are to be attracted to Scotland's passenger railways then a primary objective for the Scottish Executive must be to secure sustained and increased investment by the rail industry in new, safe, fast, and more comfortable trains. This needs to be matched with a programme of infrastructure improvements to allow for increased capacity and optimum performance. (2.2.1)

8. In Scotland's urban areas the principal focus for investment in new trains and infrastructure needs to be increasing frequency and/or lengthening trains on routes serving key, increasingly congested transport corridors. (2.2.8)

9. To help meet the Scottish Executive's commitment to improve accessibility to rural communities we want to secure reductions to journey times on routes to those areas. (2.2.16)

10. A number of urban areas in Scotland are poorly served by rail. We are keen for the rail industry to work with stakeholders to identify opportunities for developing rail links that generate economic and social benefits. (2.2.19)

11. These are our principal operational priorities. The rest of section 2 identifies a number of other enhancements we would expect the rail industry to deliver in pursuit of securing additional demand. These include service performance improvements, especially punctuality and reliability, and improved quality of service, particularly improved comfort and simplified ticketing. Passengers also need to have better access to up-to-date and reliable information, and operators need to market their services in order to attract customers. (2.3, 2.5)

12. Safety on the railway network is paramount. Scotland's railways will of course be subject to the same rigorous safety standards as the rest of the GB network. In addition the paper suggests how the security of stations and of passengers could be enhanced. (2.4)

Rail playing its part in an integrated transport system

13. In Section 3 we identify how Scotland's passenger railway can contribute to the development of an integrated transport system. (3.1)

14. As a priority, we propose that the rail industry should develop opportunities for expanding passenger services between and within Scotland's urban centres on those transport corridors already experiencing road congestion, and on those that are likely to see road traffic volumes grow significantly. (3.2)

15. Our proposed objective for tackling the peripherality of many rural communities and regional centres is for the rail industry to deliver reduced journey times on relevant routes where sufficient benefits can be generated. This should be augmented by efforts to broaden the customer base and explore opportunities for enhancing the rural network. There are additional environmental benefits from mitigating road traffic growth, since this can make an important contribution both to improving air quality and reducing carbon dioxide emissions - one of the main causes of human induced climate change. (3.3.4, 3.3.6, 3.3.9)

16. In support of social justice we propose that the railways should explore ways of widening the customer base to include those on lower incomes, and be better equipped to meet the needs of customers who are more likely to be excluded, such as the disabled, older people, women and young people. (3.4.5, 3.4.8-3.4.11)

17. In terms of assisting with the development of a seamless journey we urge the rail industry to promote more effectively initiatives such as through ticketing, a single transport information base, and inter-modal interchange. (3.5.3-3.5.5)

18. Section 3 concludes with a number of proposals on how the development of Scottish passenger railways can best be integrated with the roles of local authorities and SPTE, and with the activities of cross-border train operating companies and rail freight operators.

19. We urge collaboration and partnership with local authorities and SPTE to ensure that rail can assist with the effective implementation of local and regional transport policy. The development of any one group of rail services (Scottish, cross - border and freight) must not jeopardise the securing of improvements by the other two. (3.6-3.8)

Securing investment and value for money

20. Section 4 begins by setting out the background to securing public funding for passenger rail services in Scotland. Claims for rail will have to be set alongside other transport priorities. These, in turn, will have to be considered alongside priorities across other portfolios. (4.1.1)

21. Rigorous appraisal techniques will have to be applied before any of the various forms of public support can be made available. Only those rail projects that can demonstrate real benefits and value for money will receive support. (4.1.3, 4.2.2)

22. Public funding alone will not meet the costs of improving Scotland's passenger railway. New and innovative methods of levering in private investment will have to be explored. New approaches for developing railways will have to be considered involving the public sector, the rail industry and other private sector stakeholders. (4.2.1, 4.2.4)

Questions for consultees

23. Throughout the text there are questions intended to help focus consultees' responses to this paper. These are set out in full at the next page. They are not of course intended to limit responses, and consultees should feel free to comment on any aspect of the issues raised in the paper.

24. Please send replies to this consultation by 28 February 2001 to:-

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