Scottish rail company ScotRail has formally returned to public ownership for the first time in 25 years.
The train operator is now under control of a Scottish Government-owned company called ScotRail Trains Limited with the ScotRail name being retained and all staff being moved across from previous franchise holder Abellio.
Abellio had been running the ScotRail franchise for seven years since 2015. The Scottish Government decided in 2019 to end the franchise three years early following criticism for cancellations and performance levels.
Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon hailed the move to bring ScotRail back into public ownership as a “historic and momentous occasion”.
“Everyone involved has worked extremely hard to deliver the smooth transition of ScotRail into public control and ownership,” said Sturgeon.
“This new beginning creates a real opportunity to deliver a railway which is for the nation, and fully focused on being run for the benefit of its users – customers, staff and stakeholders, as opposed to shareholders.”
Sturgeon also stressed the “key role” that rail would play in meeting climate change targets and cutting emissions.
Alex Hynes, Scotland’s railway managing director, added: “It’s an exciting new chapter and provides us with a fantastic opportunity to shape the future for rail travel in Scotland.
“The last couple of years have accelerated the change needed in our industry as we seek to keep pace with the different ways our customers now travel.”
ScotRail passengers are not expected to see many significant changes immediately following the change of ownership of the railway.