Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government set out initial proposals in the consultation "The integration of the British Transport Police in Scotland into Police Scotland" https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/police-division/transport-police and will address key issues in the Bill and accompanying documents when they are introduced.

As part of the Performance Improvement Plan (PIP), ScotRail are undertaking a comprehensive review of timetables on the Borders, Far North, Argyle, and North Clyde routes.

ScotRail have not advised of any planned increases to journey times as part of PIP.

In December 2016 there will be some refinements to North Clyde & Argyle Line timetables. This takes cognisance of recent performance and forms part of the normal timetable development process.

The ScotRail Franchise Agreement protects the current journey times through the “Journey Time Metric” which incentivises ScotRail to protect and improve journey times across Scotland.

No date has yet been set for the next meeting of the Ardrossan Harbour Taskforce pending the outcome of the STAG-style study currently being commissioned by Transport Scotland on the options for the mainland port for the Arran service.

This study will look at potential work to improve Ardrossan Harbour, as well as the proposal from Associated British Ports to use an upgraded facility at Troon.

We will engage closely with all relevant stakeholders in analysing the various berthing options on the mainland as well as wider socio-economic factors. I will travel to Arran to speak to the local community and hear their views on the service. I will also meet with both local councils and representatives of the local communities as well as Peel Ports and Associated British Ports

The terms of reference of the task force were published following the first meeting and can be found on the Transport Scotland website. http://www.transport.gov.scot/water/ardrossan-harbour-taskforce

As the scope of any works to be carried out at Ardrossan has not yet been determined no estimate has been made by Scottish Government.

I have asked Transport Scotland to commission a STAG-style study to assess the options for the mainland port for the Arran service.

This study will look at potential work to improve Ardrossan Harbour, as well as the proposal from Associated British Ports to use an upgraded facility at Troon.

We will engage closely with all relevant stakeholders in analysing the various berthing options on the mainland as well as wider socio-economic factors. I will travel to Arran to speak to the local community and hear their views on the service. I will also meet with both local councils and representatives of the local communities in Ayrshire, as well as Peel Ports and Associated British Ports.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04176 on 14 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Yes. Scottish Ministers are the relevant franchising authority for the rail passenger services provided under the ScotRail Franchise Agreement. If that agreement ended without a further franchise agreement having been entered into, Scottish Ministers would be under a duty to provide or secure the provision of those services. That duty, is set out in section 30 of the UK Government Railways Act 1993.

As part of our routine contingency planning, Scottish Ministers have shelf companies ready to fulfil the role of operator in the event of an Operator of Last Resort.

The legislation, recently amended by the Scotland Act 2016, enables bids to be made by the private and the public sector for the provision of Scottish rail passenger services. The Scottish Government is legally bound to properly assess all valid bids received.

I have had discussions with trade unions and other key stakeholders on plans to ensure that a public sector body can bid for future Scottish rail franchises. These discussions will continue as the work progresses.

In the event of early termination of the ScotRail Franchise Agreement, a Performance Bond provision is in place designed to cover circumstances where Scottish Ministers have incurred or expect to incur additional costs in connection with early termination of the Franchise Agreement.