Rail bosses roll out new £180m fleet

Published on Saturday 12 July 2008 10:49

CITY rail passengers are set to benefit from a new fleet of trains worth £180 million.

Train operator First ScotRail has announced the purchase of 38 engines and 130 new carriages that will seat around 9000 passengers.

Most of the trains will be deployed on the Glasgow- Edinburgh line.

First ScotRail said the new trains would lead to rolling stock being released to operate on the forthcoming Airdrie to Bathgate line, meaning more capacity on services between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

First ScotRail managing director Mary Grant, said: "This is the biggest electric trains order in Scotland for a decade.

"It will result in extra trains and services at a time when more and more people are choosing rail as their preferred means of travel."

The fleet will be air-conditioned and carriages will also be fitted with CCTV and power sockets for laptops.

The new rolling stock will be phased in over three years, but will begin running at stations from December 2010.

Finance Secretary John Swinney said: "It is really encouraging to see passenger numbers on our rail network increasing, but if we want that to continue, and if we want to encourage more Scots to switch from their cars, we need to continue to invest.

"Tens of thousands of commuters will experience the benefits of this investment."