Question reference: S6W-24336
- Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 4 January 2024
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Current status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 30 January 2024
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to replace the ScotRail fleet of class 43 HST units; if so, when; what the on-costs of any replacement will be, including any break-fee with the current rolling stock provider, and whether there is a budget line in its 2023-24 Budget for this or whether any cost will come from elsewhere in the railway/transport budget.
Answer
It is clear that the High Speed Trains will need to be replaced as an early priority within a ScotRail fleet replacement programme. Work is currently underway, funded within existing rail budgets used for project development, to examine the business case of different options for replacement of these trains. Discussions continue to be held with railway unions to ensure that railway staff are properly engaged.