Faster trains which offer more comfort and services tailored to attract tourists are planned for the next ScotRail franchise.
Peak-time ticket prices pegged to inflation and improvements to wi-fi access will also be required as part of the contract, the Scottish Government's Transport Scotland agency said.
The new franchise - which is the single biggest contract awarded by the Government - is due to begin in 2015, lasting for up to 10 years.
Transport minister Keith Brown has revealed the details of the franchise, setting out the requirements which must be met by the winning bidder.
These include faster services to connect Scotland's cities, including new trains to deliver 42-minute services between Edinburgh and Glasgow, and accelerated services to Stirling, Perth, Dundee, Inverness and Aberdeen.
Trains will be improved with wifi and more comfortable carriages for longer journeys while "scenic" trains will be used to promote tourist routes, featuring locally-sourced catering and panoramic views.
Other measures in the new franchise include more cycle space, provisions for disabled passengers to travel with the minimum of advance notice and SMARTcard tickets across the network.
Smartcards store and read tickets electronically, similar to the Oyster Card system used in London.
Mr Brown said: "Improving the passenger experience has been at the heart of our considerations for the next franchise and the specification I have set out is focused on innovation, connectivity, value and benefit for communities throughout Scotland.
"Unlike previous Department for Transport-led procurements which have focused on price, the ScotRail franchise competition includes a heavy emphasis on quality. Bidders for this franchise must commit to ambitious improvements if they want to win.
"The new contract will ensure an improved service for commuters, disabled passengers who wish to travel more spontaneously than current provisions allow, tourists and cyclists as well as a better deal all round for all those using our railways.
He added: "The specification that I have set is challenging but it will deliver real benefits to passengers as well as meeting the needs of the taxpayer for greater efficiency in the use of our resources."
The details of the franchise were unveiled as the draft Invitation To Tender (ITT) was issued to the five companies which successfully passed the first stage of the bid process.
The firms Abellio, Arriva, First Group, MTR and National Express will all now be invited to submit their proposals for the franchise next spring. The winning bid will be announced in autumn 2014 before the new franchise begins in April 2015.
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