SCOTLAND’S transport minister has joined railway colleagues in travelling on the first electric passenger service from Glasgow Central to Barrhead.
The £63 million Glasgow – Barrhead electrification project is set to start public passenger services from December 11, with it forming part of the Scottish Government’s latest phase of decarbonising the country’s railway.
Over the last two years, Network Rail engineers have electrified over six miles of the railway and renewed 130 metres of track on the route. Major modifications have also been carried out to bridges along the route, including the replacement of Nithsdale Road bridge at Strathbungo and the removal of the old lattice footbridge at Nitshill station.
Bridge sidewalls were raised in height at Kennishead and Priesthill and Darnley stations to make them compliant for an electrified railway.
Transport minister Fiona Hyslop said, “It’s fantastic to join industry partners today as we celebrate the first electric passenger train between Glasgow and Barrhead.
“This latest milestone in our rolling programme of electrification demonstrates this Scottish Government’s commitment to greener public transport as we work towards our low carbon economy and Net Zero goals.
“I’d also like to thank everyone involved in delivering this project and the investment it represents.”
Alex Hynes, MD of Scotland’s Railway, added, “It’s a privilege to be able to welcome the minister to travel on the first electric passenger train from Glasgow to Barrhead. We are incredibly proud to be delivering this project on behalf of the Scottish Government.
“Electric trains are faster and greener, offering a better travelling experience and they’re more reliable too. They encourage people to switch from road to rail and help us build on the railway’s reputation as one of the greenest forms of public transport.
“We look forward to welcoming the communities along the Barrhead line onto our electric network and will continue to further expand our decarbonisation of Scotland’s Railway in the years ahead.”
