Network Rail and ScotRail Strengthen Alliance Agreement
This new agreement builds on the initial alliance signed in 2015 between Network Rail and Abellio ScotRail. Both organisations are now under public sector control and are thus focused on delivering the best outcomes for Scotland’s economy, society, and railway users.
This new agreement builds on the initial alliance signed in 2015 between Network Rail and Abellio ScotRail. Both organisations are now under public sector control and are thus focused on delivering the best outcomes for Scotland’s economy, society, and railway users.
Under the current High-Level Output Specification (HLOS), which outlines the Scottish Government’s investment priorities for Network Rail Scotland, several key projects are in progress. These projects require closer coordination between Network Rail, responsible for rail infrastructure, and ScotRail, the nation’s main train operator, to enhance services for passengers and freight customers.
Joanne Maguire, ScotRail Managing Director, said:
“The best way to deliver a safe, reliable, and green railway in Scotland is for ScotRail and Network Rail to work together as much as possible, while recognising that we remain two separate companies.
“The signing of a strengthened Alliance Agreement is a great opportunity to work even more closely with Network Rail. We are committed to greater integration to ensure the best possible service for our passengers and freight customers.”
Though ScotRail and Network Rail will continue to function as separate entities, both companies are working to identify areas where greater integration could provide tangible benefits for rail users.
The findings from this work will be reported to the Alliance Executive—a joint executive committee of ScotRail and Network Rail Scotland—by the end of March 2025. Oversight of these efforts will be handled by the Alliance Board, which includes representatives from ScotRail, Network Rail, Scottish Rail Holdings, and Transport Scotland.
The two companies have already collaborated on several key initiatives, including a shared Integrated Control Centre, a joint climate action plan, and long-term efforts to replace ScotRail’s train fleet.
Liam Sumpter, Network Rail Scotland Managing Director, said:
“Scotland’s Railway provides a vital transport link to thousands of people across the country every single day. From vital connections to our rural communities, through to heavily utilised networks across Scotland’s cities, our railway community, which also includes over 8,800 colleagues working on track and train, is a vital part of our nation’s transport infrastructure.
“Through taking more opportunities to work together and collaborate, we can continue to develop a safer and more reliable railway, which will be to the benefit of Scotland’s economy, our environment as well as our passengers, customer and colleagues long into the future.”
