RAIL MANIFESTO SCOTLAND Key Stats In Scotland, rail contributes: • £2.4bn GVA to the economy; • 46,000 jobs; • £667mn in tax revenue.
RIA’s Key UK Asks 1. Continue to invest in major rail schemes post-Coronavirus and support rail’s role in supporting the economic recovery; 2. Increase visibility of rail schemes, including publishing the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline; Williams Rail Review; Integrated Rail Plan and Transport Decarbonisation Plan; 3. Begin a rolling programme of electrification and orders for low carbon rolling stock, in order to decarbonise the network; 4. Bring forward digital signalling work to ensure the UK is able to meet the backlog in signalling work; and 5. Include rail in future trade deals and support the sector as a significant export in its own right.
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The rail network in Scotland provides vital connectivity to regions and communities in every corner of the country, as well as providing links to other areas of the UK. As an industry, it also plays an important economic role for the country. Although Coronavirus has had a big impact on passenger numbers and revenue, rail has a key role to play in driving an economic recovery from the pandemic and in helping reach Scotland’s ambitious net zero carbon emissions targets. In light of this and ahead of May’s Holyrood elections, RIA has set out five recommendations for Scotland’s future political leaders, to help the industry drive sustainable and inclusive economic growth for communities across the country. These align closely with RIA’s ‘Key UK Asks’ (left). Recommendation 1 Make the case for rail travel in the long-term, encouraging passengers back and a greater role for freight, as we recover from the Coronavirus pandemic. Rail travel and public transport can be a catalyst for the economic recovery and provides vital links to connect communities and reduce social exclusion right across the country. However, following the pandemic and as the economy reopens, the next Scottish Government will need to help make the case for the sector and work with the industry to help give passengers the confidence to travel by train, whilst supporting the role of rail freight in transporting more goods across the country. Recommendation 2 Continue to decarbonise the rail industry through electrification and fleet orders of low carbon rolling stock, in order to reach Scotland’s 2035 decarbonisation target. If Scotland is to decarbonise its rail network by 2035 and reach net zero by 2045, continued investment in sustainable rail travel wil be vital. Whilst rail is already a very low carbon mode of transport – contributing just 2% of UK transport emissions ria@riagb.org.uk www.riagb.org.uk