The ScotRail Alliance is proud to announce the creation of Scotland’s newest community rail partnership (CRP).

The Rail 74 partnership launches on Friday 2 June, on the route between Rutherglen and Hamilton Central. To mark the event, a piper will greet the train at Rutherglen, with volunteers from the CRP joining and raising awareness of the new group to passengers on the train.

The partnership brings together groups from across the community to improve and promote their local railway line. The partnership was made possible by Business in the Community Scotland, whose local Business Connectors worked with a wide range of local groups to establish the partnership.

The group intends to act as bridge between the line and the local community, and make the communities along the line a better place to work, live and do business.

The ScotRail Alliance has extensively supported the partnership, awarding £10,000 of funding to the partnership to facilitate their plans. The most visible of which will be large totem pole, hand-carved by groups ranging including young homeless people, mental health patients and primary schoolchildren.

James Ledgerwood, the ScotRail Alliance’s head of economic development said, “We know that railways are the lifeblood of many communities across the country.

“Community rail partnerships are an excellent way for us to work in partnership with local communities to maximise the wider opportunities our services can bring. Rail74 has some really exciting plans in place, and we look forward to working within them in there delivery.

“I know they have the drive and determination to make a real difference.”
Jane Wood, Director of Membership and Nations for Business in the Community, said: “We are delighted to see the hard work of our Business Connectors, Diane Whatelely and Suzie McCheyne come to fruition through this invaluable partnership.

There is an undeniable role for business within communities, building a fairer society and a more sustainable future for us all, and it’s great to see the ScotRail Alliance, HMRC and Scottish Gas play such an active role in the development of Rail 74.”