Question reference: S6W-15046
- Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 9 February 2023
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Current status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 10 February 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress on the National Rail Conversation.
Answer
Last year I announced plans to hold a National Rail Conversation with the people of Scotland to seek their views on passenger rail services provided by Scotrail and the Caledonian Sleeper. The National Rail Conversation will also engage the views of regional transport partnerships, rail unions, local authorities, equalities groups, businesses, emergency services and rail industry organisations – as well as non-rail users – for their input in to the vision for rail services in Scotland.
The Scottish Government is committed to supporting Scotland’s railway for the future. It needs to be affordable; accessible; sustainable; offer fair and secure employment, and provide a safe environment for all who travel and work across it, now and in the future. It is also an important component of our public transport system, offering an alternative to car use, and is key to cutting transport emissions, and achieving our Net Zero ambitions.
There will be two key areas of focus for the conversation:
1. A series of stakeholder meetings, hosted by the Scottish Government, to discuss all aspects of rail passenger services. These events will take place over the next few months and stakeholders will be contacted shortly.
2. An extensive public engagement campaign aimed at giving as many people as possible the chance to have their say on the future of rail. It’s important that we hear from as many people as possible, including those who currently do not travel by rail.
Further details of both of these strands will be provided when I formally launch the National Rail Conversation in April, marking the one year anniversary of ScotRail coming in to public ownership.
When ScotRail came into public ownership the Scottish Government was clear: this would be a new beginning for our railways with a new guiding vision. My resolve remains on creating real opportunities to deliver a railway run for the benefit of its customers, staff and stakeholders. Through the National Rail Conversation, we will listen to feedback from passengers and stakeholders and shape a vision for ScotRail which best meets the needs of the people of Scotland.