- A new framework sets the direction for a clearer,
more accountable railway for Scottish passengers, making it
easier to see how decisions are
made and implemented.
- Devolved responsibilities remain protected as
future work between Transport Scotland and
Great British Railways is
defined to improve services.
- Services, investment and passenger information to
be better tailored to Scottish priorities -
supporting easier and more reliable
journeys.
Rail passengers travelling in
Scotland will benefit from strengthened local
decision making under the Railways Bill which
will establish Great British Railways (GBR) from
next year.
Today (Wednesday 25th March), both the UK
and Scottish Governments have published the foundations
for an agreement setting out how they will work
together to exercise their respective rail functions after GBR
is established.
The framework for the Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) between the Transport
Secretary and Scottish Ministers
marks a major milestone in the delivery of
the UK Government's bold rail
reforms, demonstrating both parties' commitment to
a simplified and more integrated railway for
Scotland.
The framework means Scottish passengers will experience a
railway that is easier to use, more responsive to local needs,
and clearer about who is responsible for delivering
improvements.
Devolved responsibilities will remain fully protected,
ensuring Scottish Ministers retain their
current control over funding for Scottish rail
infrastructure and their responsibility for the
specification and provision of Scottish‑designated passenger
services. The framework makes clear rail reform will
respect existing decision-making powers while improving
system‑wide coordination.
The framework sets out how both governments will
work together and with GBR to deliver a more
integrated, passenger-focused railway, with clearly defined
responsibilities and governance.
By ensuring Great British Railways and Transport Scotland plan
the network more closely together, passengers will see more
reliable services, helpful updates when journeys change, and
improvements focused on the things people value most, such as
smoother connections and better punctuality.
Transport Secretary said:
“Under the Railways Bill and following the introduction of Great
British Railways, the Scottish Government will have a new,
strengthened role and a bigger say in how the railway is run to
improve local connectivity.
“At its heart, this framework is about improving outcomes for
passengers and communities. By placing decision making at the
heart of rail in Scotland we will ensure services
and investment are better tailored to Scottish passenger and
freight customer priorities.”
Key benefits of the framework
for Scotland include:
- Strengthening the integration of track and train in Scotland
to ensure the country reaps the same benefits from rail
reform and the creation of GBR as in the rest of Great
Britain.
- Scottish Ministers will retain responsibility for
setting the strategy, specifying and funding the
infrastructure and provision of passenger services in Scotland,
so decisions can be shaped around what works best for local
communities.
- Setting a direction of travel for a future MoU to be agreed
by both the UK and Scottish Government
The Railways Bill will create a new rail
body, GBR, which once established will put
passengers and freight customers back at the heart of the
railways.
GBR will deliver a safe, sustainable and
high-performing network. Where the previous system saw
profits put before passengers, GBR will prioritise value for
money for taxpayers and drive investment and consistently better
experience for all rail customers.
GBR will run and manage the tracks and trains used every day –
ending years of fragmentation, driving up standards for
passengers, and making journeys easier and better value for
money.
This framework provides the foundations for the MoU between the
Secretary of State for Transport and the Scottish Ministers,
setting out how they will work together to exercise their
respective rail functions following the creation of
GBR. Once signed, the MoU will form a key part of rail
reforms through the Railways Bill.
Notes to editors
- The framework can be found here.
- Both governments will look to sign the MoU once the future
Scottish Government is in place and final agreement has been
reached
