Scotland’s train drivers' union has demanded they are ‘fully involved’ in the process of procuring trains to replace their High-Speed Trains (HST) fleet that operate on InterCity routes between Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness.

The Scottish Government has confirmed it will tell ScotRail to get replacement trains for their HST fleet in a bid to provide a ‘more consistent, comfortable experience’ for passengers on those routes.

The decisions follows a process of looking at different options to replace the trains and took into consideration the possibility of transitioning from diesel power to electric trains as well as the availability of funding and affordability changes.

A detailed delivery timeline will be released by the Scottish Government in the coming weeks when a contract notice is published.

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ASLEF has praised the decision and say it comes as a ‘direct result’ of sustained pressure from the train driver’s union and is part of their long-running campaign to improve safety and environmental standards on Scotland’s railways.

The replacement of the HST fleet was one of the demands outlined in ASLEF’s report ‘Vision for Scotland’s Railways’, which highlighted the inadequacies of the HSTs in terms of drivers and passenger safety, as well as their environmental impact.

ASLEF is now calling on ScotRail and the Scottish Government to ensure train drivers are fully involved in the procurement process to ‘guarantee the best possible trains are found’. They feel that their members have the expertise and experience is invaluable in finding trains that will meet the highest standards.

Kevin Lindsay, ASLEF Scotland Organiser, said: “This announcement is a testament to the dedication and persistence of our members, who have consistently advocated for the safety and modernisation of Scotland’s rail services.

"The HSTs are simply not fit for purpose in the 21st century—whether we’re talking about driver and passenger safety or their environmental footprint. We are pleased that the Scottish Government has recognised the urgency of this issue and is taking action to replace these outdated trains.”

“We urge ScotRail to engage with our members throughout this process. Their input is crucial in making sure that the new fleet not only meets the needs of passengers but also ensures the highest standards of operational safety and efficiency.”

A statement from ScotRail said: "The Scottish Government has announced a plan to replace ScotRail’s InterCity high-speed trains (HSTs). The commercial tender will be launched in the coming weeks, which will set out the timescales for the replacement.  

"ScotRail’s procurement and fleet teams are working closely with Transport Scotland, Scottish Rail Holdings, and Network Rail on the details of the procurement. 

"ScotRail has been in touch with the unions following today's announcement to confirm our commitment to ensuring they are involved in the process." 

Joanne Maguire, ScotRail Managing Director, said: “Today’s announcement is good news for our customers and an important step for ScotRail as we work towards delivering a safe, green, and reliable railway. We will announce more details of the tender process in the coming weeks.”

Commenting on today’s announcement, TSSA General Secretary, Maryam Eslamdoust said: “We are pleased the Scottish government has at long last concluded that HSTs are not fit for purpose on our railways.  

“These trains really are museum pieces and that is where they belong. Our focus is, and always will be, on the safety of Scotland’s rail passengers and workers.  

“For that reason we will make sure our union works with Ministers at Holyrood to ensure that the replacement of these trains meets the proper standards and will help provide the railways Scotland needs for the future.”