Abellio ScotRail

Abellio ScotRail
ScottD2998 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Abellio ScotRail
Locale	Scotland
Start year	2015
End year	2022
Predecessor	ScotRail
Successor	ScotRail

Abellio ScotRail was a train operating company that operated the ScotRail franchise in Scotland from 2015 to 2022, providing services to major cities such as Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Inverness. The company was a subsidiary of the Nederlandse Spoorwegen-owned Abellio Group, which also operates Merseyrail and Greater Anglia. Abellio ScotRail took over the franchise from First ScotRail and was later replaced by the public-owned ScotRail. The company worked closely with Transport Scotland and Network Rail to deliver its services.

● History

The history of Abellio ScotRail dates back to 2015, when the company was awarded the ScotRail franchise by Transport Scotland, succeeding First ScotRail. The franchise agreement was for a period of 10 years, with the option for a 1-year extension, and was valued at approximately £2.5 billion. During its operation, Abellio ScotRail worked with Hitachi Rail to introduce new Class 385 electric trains on the Glasgow-Edinburgh route, and with CAF to introduce new Class 331 trains on other routes. The company also collaborated with British Transport Police to ensure passenger safety and security.

● Services

Abellio ScotRail operated a wide range of services across Scotland, including commuter services in the Glasgow and Edinburgh areas, as well as intercity services to Aberdeen, Inverness, and Fort William. The company also operated Caledonian Sleeper services to London Euston in partnership with Serco Group. Additionally, Abellio ScotRail provided services to popular tourist destinations such as Stirling Castle, Eilean Donan Castle, and Loch Ness. The company worked with VisitScotland to promote tourism in Scotland and with Highlands and Islands Enterprise to support economic development in the region.

● Rolling Stock

Abellio ScotRail's rolling stock consisted of a variety of trains, including the Class 43 (HST), Class 170 (Turbostar), and Class 156 (Super Sprinter). The company also introduced new trains, such as the Class 385 (ATP), which was built by Hitachi Rail and featured advanced Automatic Train Protection technology. Abellio ScotRail worked with Angel Trains and Eversholt Rail Group to maintain and upgrade its rolling stock, ensuring that its trains met the highest standards of safety and reliability. The company also collaborated with Rail Safety and Standards Board to implement safety improvements.

● Performance

Abellio ScotRail's performance was monitored by Transport Scotland and Office of Rail and Road, which published regular reports on the company's punctuality, reliability, and customer satisfaction. The company's performance was also subject to scrutiny by the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government. Abellio ScotRail worked to improve its performance by investing in new trains and infrastructure, and by implementing new technologies such as Automatic Train Operation. The company collaborated with Institution of Mechanical Engineers and Institution of Engineering and Technology to develop innovative solutions to improve its performance.

● Criticism and Controversy

Abellio ScotRail faced criticism and controversy during its operation, including concerns over its punctuality and reliability, as well as its handling of passenger complaints. The company was also criticized for its decision to introduce peak-time fare increases, which were opposed by Scottish Labour and Scottish Liberal Democrats. Additionally, Abellio ScotRail faced controversy over its use of scab labor during industrial disputes with RMT Union and ASLEF. The company worked with Acas to resolve disputes and with Transport Focus to address passenger concerns.

● Franchise

The Abellio ScotRail franchise was awarded in 2014, following a competitive bidding process involving FirstGroup, National Express Group, and Arriva UK Trains. The franchise agreement was for a period of 10 years, with the option for a 1-year extension, and was valued at approximately £2.5 billion. The franchise was later terminated in 2022, and the ScotRail services were taken over by the public-owned ScotRail, which is owned by the Scottish Government. The decision to terminate the franchise was made by Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland, and was supported by Scottish National Party and Scottish Green Party.