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ScotRail journeys increase by 23.5 million in a decade

Posted: 18th June 2018

The number of people travelling with ScotRail has increased by almost one-third in the past decade, new figures have revealed.

Customer journeys on ScotRail services increased from 74.2 million in 2007/08 to 97.8 million in 2017/18 – a rise of 23.5 million in just a decade.

The ScotRail Alliance said that the increase in customer journeys highlights the scale of the challenge it faces every day to keep people moving.

ScotRail is investing £475m in brand new and upgraded trains, while Network Rail has invested more than £2bn in and new and improved infrastructure since 2014. This investment will deliver:

– Brand new Hitachi Class 385 electric trains;

– The electrification of the Central Belt;

– Upgraded iconic high-speed trains;

– Station redevelopments across the country, including at Glasgow Queen Street and Aberdeen;

– Reduced journey times and more services between Aberdeen and Inverness.

Alex Hynes, ScotRail Alliance Managing Director, said:

“Scotland’s railway is undergoing the biggest transformation since Victorian times, and these new figures show why that is necessary. Travelling by train is increasingly popular in Scotland, and we need to deliver a railway that can keep pace with customer demand.

“Supporting more than 97 million journeys each year is a complex task, but it is one that our people carry out with pride every single day.

“The investment we are making in brand new and upgraded trains, better stations, and improved infrastructure is key to delivering the service our customers expect. It’s all part of our plan to build the best railway Scotland has ever had.”

Humza Yousaf, Minister for Transport and the Islands, said:

“The Scottish Government has a genuine commitment to investing in our railways to encourage passenger growth. These latest figures are a clear indication that our investment in improving infrastructure, rolling stock, and services is having a positive impact.

“With even more projects coming to fruition in the coming months and years, we expect to see this upward trend continue as even more people leave the car behind in favour of the train.”

 

Business Comment

Business Comment is the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce’s bi-monthly magazine. It provides insight on Edinburgh’s vibrant business community, with features on the city’s key sectors, interviews with leading figures and news on new business developments in the capital.
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