Ahead of the third anniversary of ScotRail’s return to public ownership, a new report by Steer – a transport and infrastructure consultancy – has revealed ScotRail’s £4 billion contribution to Scotland’s economy.
The independent analysis outlines the train operator’s contribution to supporting jobs, driving regional growth, and making Scotland’s society and economy greener.
The findings of the report indicate that ScotRail has a total economic impact of more than £4billion, supporting 11,300 jobs both directly and indirectly.
In addition to the figures above, passengers using ScotRail services supported Scotland’s tourism, leisure, and hospitality sectors by spending around £567 million as a part of their journeys.
The environmental benefits of people choosing ScotRail over other modes of transport are helping to make Scotland greener – over one billion car kilometres are avoided by passengers using ScotRail services, avoiding the equivalent of over 120,000 tonnes of road-related carbon emissions per year.
The Scottish Government’s investment in ScotRail and the wider rail industry – including investment in Network Rail infrastructure – has delivered a strong return on this investment through much greater benefits to communities across Scotland, linking cities and towns, providing an essential means of transport for businesses and individuals.
Joanne Maguire, ScotRail managing director, said: “As we enter the fourth year of ScotRail’s return to public ownership, the track record of delivery is clear – higher passenger numbers, growing revenue, and strong customer satisfaction. This independent report shows we can also add our significant economic and social contribution to Scotland to our growing list of achievements.
“Our £4 billion impact is felt not just by the hundreds of thousands who travel on ScotRail trains every day. We know our reach and support goes beyond that, into communities the length and breadth of the country.
“The aim of this report is to help our colleagues, customers, and stakeholders understand that the railway in Scotland is so much more than a means of getting customers from A to B. It demonstrates real return on investment for the significant funding received from Scottish Government as we are making a difference to the economic and social success of the country. That’s why we are relentlessly focussed on delivering a safe, reliable, and green railway.”
Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, said: “We are rightly proud of the achievements we have made as ScotRail reaches its 3rd anniversary in public ownership, and the opportunities it has created to deliver a railway which is run for the benefit of customers.
“Public ownership is allowing us to deliver on our ambition to make Scotland’s railway accessible, affordable, sustainable and to improve the public service which it now provides in connecting our people, businesses, and communities. This is evidenced with the re-opening of the Levenmouth Line, and new stations at Inverness Airport, East Linton and Reston creating education, employment, and economic opportunities for residents and visitors alike.
“ScotRail now has 500 more staff than pre-public ownership, bringing secure employment with a real living wage to many individuals and families. Driver recruitment is also at an all-time high, making real progress towards eradicating reliance on overtime and in doing so creating a better work life balance.
“The publication of this report demonstrates the value of our investment in rail and our aim for the future is to continue this success to give the people of Scotland the rail service they need and deserve.”
The full report can be viewed on the ScotRail website.
Image credit: SoctRail
