Current status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 5 September 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress made in the further decarbonisation of Scotland's suburban rail services, and what plans it has to replace the rolling stock currently operating on ScotRail’s suburban services.
I can confirm that the next phase in Scotland’s programme to decarbonise the railway network will involve the electrification of sections on the Fife and Borders railways. Works are already underway, with significant progress being made on the electrification of the line between Haymarket and Dalmeny. This forms part of the Scottish Government’s sustained investment in Scotland’s rail infrastructure and represents the initial phase of enabling works for the future electrification of the Fife Circle services.
The Scottish Government’s ongoing commitment to electrification supports the deployment of electric and battery-electric trains. I can further confirm that ScotRail has been authorised to initiate a procurement exercise for a new electric Suburban Fleet. This procurement will facilitate the replacement of trains currently operating on the Borders Railway and in Fife, as well as replace some of Glasgow’s Suburban trains. ScotRail expects to issue a contract notice for the Suburban Fleets in Autumn 2025.
This latest Scottish Government investment will be in excess of £342 million and demonstrates our continuing commitment to making Scotland’s railway even greener, with greater capacity and reliability.