First ScotRail
From Freepedia
| Image:ScotRaillogo.jpg | |
|---|---|
| Image:170433 at Edinburgh Waverley.JPG | |
| Franchise: | First ScotRail, (previously ScotRail) |
| Main region(s): | Scotland |
| Other region(s): | London |
| Fleet size: | 309 |
| Stations: | 336 |
| Parent company: | First Group |
| Website: | firstscotrail.com |
First ScotRail is the brand under which First Group PLC runs its railway franchise to operate all domestic passenger services within Scotland, as well as the cross-border Caledonian Sleeper service to London, England. First Group has headquarters in Aberdeen, Scotland.
On 17 October 2004 the franchise was transferred to First Group from National Express resulting in the rebranding from ScotRail to First ScotRail. This was the first time the franchise has been renegotiated since the privatisation of British Rail. Franchises are negotiated with the Strategic Rail Authority.
Contents |
Network
The First ScotRail network is mixture of long distance, commuter and rural lines, totalling 2,729 km (1,696 miles), handling 66.1 million passenger journeys in 2003-4.
The densest part of the network is the suburban network around Glasgow, consisting of 183 stations — the largest suburban rail network in the UK outside of London. Much of it is 25kV electrified. Glasgow's main terminal stations are Central Station and Queen Street Station. Although First ScotRail operate the trains in this area, they do so under the Strathclyde Passenger Transport name, who set the timetables and fares, and brand the trains in their livery.
Image:First ScotRail Class 170.JPG
Edinburgh's suburban network is less dense than Glasgow's, but is still relatively extensive. Edinburgh's main station is Waverley Station.
Express services operate between Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Aberdeen. The Highland Main Line links Inverness to the south.
Rural lines include the scenic West Highland Line, Kyle Line and Far North Line. These are not generally well used, but are kept open for a variety of reasons, including social necessity, tourism and political considerations.
First ScotRail operate the sleeper services operate to Euston station in London, along the West Coast Main Line.
The majority of Scotland's 340 passenger stations are operated by First ScotRail with Network Rail retaining ownership — the exception being Prestwick International Airport station, which is both owned and operated by the airport. Only three other stations in Scotland are not operated by First ScotRail: Dunbar (GNER), Edinburgh Waverley (Network Rail) and Glasgow Central (Network Rail).
Fleet
The present diesel fleet is comprised of a mixture of Class 156 "Super Sprinters" and Class 158 "Express Sprinters" which were acquired during the British Rail era, and Class 170 "Turbostars" which were acquired post-privatisation.
The present electric fleet includes Class 314, Class 318, Class 320, Class 322 and Class 334 "Junipers" units.
The sleepers are comprised of specially adapted Mark 3 coaches, which are hauled by EWS locomotives.
At present, the Edinburgh-North Berwick line is operated by EWS-Class 90 electric locomotives with former Virgin Trains Mark 3 coaches. As of 2005, Class 322 units will be reintroduced onto the line after a refurbishment program has taken place. It is considered bad use of resources to use diesel trains on an entirely-electric line, thus precluding the use of shorter "Turbostars".
ScotRail has previously operated Class 101 and Class 117 diesel units, and Class 303 and Class 305 electric units, but these have now all been withdrawn. ScotRail has also operated Class 150 diesel but these have transferred to other operators following deliveries of new trains.
Performance
The performance figures for National Express' last quarter as franchise holders, July to September 2004, are:
- 82.8% of trains arriving within 5 minutes of the scheduled time. Down 4.2% on the same quarter the previous year.
- 84.2% of trains arriving within 5 minutes of the scheduled time. Down 1.0% on the previous year as a whole.
The performance figures for First Group's first quarter as franchise holders, October to December 2004, are:
- 79.8% of trains arriving within 5 minutes of the scheduled time. Down 1.9% on the same quarter the previous year
- 83.7% of trains arriving within 5 minutes of the schedules time. Down 0.5% on the previous year as a whole.
Note: First Group did not start operating the franchise until 17 October 2004.
See also
- Other train operating companies operating in Scotland:
References
- Scottish Executive. Scottish Transport Statistics No. 24: 2005 Edition. Accessed on October 2, 2005.
- Scottish Parliament Information Centre. Changes to the regulation of Scotland's railways. Accessed on October 2, 2005.
- RailBritain.com. First ScotRail fleet size as of December 2004. Accessed on October 2, 2005.
External links
| British train operating companies | |
|---|---|
| InterCity: | Eurostar - First Great Western - First TransPennine Express - GNER - Hull Trains - Midland Mainline - one - Virgin Trains |
| London & South East: | c2c - Chiltern Railways - First Great Western Link - Gatwick Express - Heathrow Express - Island Line one - Silverlink - South Eastern Trains - South West Trains - Southern - Thameslink - WAGN |
| Regional: | Arriva Trains Wales - Central Trains - First ScotRail - Merseyrail - Northern Rail - Wessex Trains |
| Defunct train operating companies: | |
|---|---|
| InterCity: | Anglia Railways |
| London & South East: | Connex South Central - Connex South Eastern - First Great Eastern - Thames Trains |
| Regional: | Arriva Trains Merseyside - Arriva Trains Northern - First North Western - MTL Northern Spirit - ScotRail - Wales and Borders - Wales and West - Valley Lines |
