Question S6W-29458: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, answered 17 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when the Delmore passing loop will be upgraded.

Fiona Hyslop: The advantages for capacity and performance of a new rail loop in the Delmore area are recognised. However, the proposal for a passing loop at Delmore does not feature in the Scottish Government's current investment programme.

Given the extremely challenging financial climate, and following last year's UK Autumn Statement, we have had to take difficult decisions in setting the budget for 2024-25. This affects our ability to fund any projects which do not yet feature in the current investment programme.

A loop at Delmore remains in consideration for future delivery alongside a number of other potentially valuable schemes.

Question S6W-29459: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, answered 17 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what plans it has to upgrade train services.

Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government is investing in rail services across Scotland, including the rolling programme of electrification. East Kilbride line electrification is now under way and I have recently announced that ScotRail is to procure replacement trains for the current InterCity High Speed Train fleet. The work continues to develop further procurements to replace and renew the ScotRail fleet as it ages.

Question S6W-29471: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour, answered 17 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to encourage modal shift from car to rail, in light of the peak fares removal pilot ending.

Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government continues to be committed to finding ways to make sustainable travel modes more attractive and supporting people to take fewer journeys by car. The forthcoming route map to 20% car kilometre reduction will aim to set out our approach to support this recommendation.

Question S6W-29545: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, answered 18 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its reported plans to require ScotRail to procure high-speed trains to replace the current fleet that operates on its InterCity routes between Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness, what impact this will have on journey times, and whether this procurement covers improvements to rail track or is exclusive to train fleets.

Fiona Hyslop: ScotRail is to undertake the procurement exercise for the new intercity fleet. The timescales for replacement and the exact type of train to replace the HST Fleet as well as any implications of this replacement, including necessary infrastructure investments and journey times are dependent on the outcomes of the procurement.

Question S6W-29541: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, answered 18 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects the electrification of Intercity passenger routes between Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Inverness to be complete.

Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government is committed to decarbonising its passenger rail network and is continuing with the rolling programme of electrification as funding permits.

This is set out in Transport Scotland's Decarbonisation Action Plan, which is planned as a dynamic document, with a refresh of the Plan underway. The refresh will examine the electrification programme, informed by progress with rolling stock procurement.

Question S6W-30002: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, answered 1 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-27663 by Fiona Hyslop on 3 June 2024, whether it is committed to retaining the 2035 deadline for the removal of diesel passenger trains in any refreshed Decarbonisation Action Plan.

Fiona Hyslop: The refresh of the Rail Services Decarbonisation Action Plan will examine how and when the traction elements of rail transport can best be achieved. The order and programme in which decarbonisation can be achieved is and remains dependent on business cases and available budgets.

Question S6W-30003: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, answered 1 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-29541 by Fiona Hyslop on 18 September 2024, when it expects the present refresh of the Decarbonisation Action Plan to be concluded.

Fiona Hyslop: A refresh of the Rail Services Decarbonisation Action Plan, informed by current progress with rolling stock procurement, is currently expected to conclude in early 2025.