TRAIN drivers in Scotland are celebrating a major victory after the Scottish government announced plans to replace the country’s ageing high-speed train fleet. 

ScotRail has been instructed to procure replacements for high-speed trains currently operating on InterCity routes between Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Inverness.

The decision followed a long-running campaign by train drivers’ union Aslef. 

The replacement of the high-speed train fleet was one of the key demands in the union’s Vision for Scotland’s Railways report, which highlighted the inadequacies of the fleet in terms of safety, and their environmental impact.

Aslef is calling on ScotRail and the Scottish government to ensure that train drivers are fully involved in the procurement process to guarantee that the best possible replacements are found. 

Aslef Scotland organiser Kevin Lindsay said: “The HSTs are simply not fit for purpose in the 21st century – whether we’re talking about driver and passenger safety or their environmental footprint. 

“We are pleased that the Scottish government has recognised the urgency of this issue and is taking action to replace these outdated trains.

“We urge ScotRail to engage with our members throughout this process. 

“Their input is crucial in making sure that the new fleet not only meets the needs of passengers but also ensures the highest standards of operational safety and efficiency.”

A contract notice for the new trains is expected to be published in the coming weeks, along with a detailed delivery timeline once the contract is awarded. 

Aslef has said that it will continue to monitor the progress closely.