Transform Scotland has today issued a briefing on the new Partnership for the West Coast Main Line (WCML) and the subsequent introduction of HS2 services.<\/p>\n
The West Coast franchise renewal offers an ideal opportunity to develop more and faster services,\u00a0prepare the way for HS2 services, as well as increasing the modal shift from car and plane to the train.<\/p>\n
The briefing makes a number of recommendations, including:<\/p>\n
\u2022 A sub-four hour journey time from Glasgow to London with more frequent and faster trains to enable
\nrail to capture a much larger proportion of the rail\/air market on this route<\/p>\n
\u2022 A wider range of destinations both within Scotland and from Scotland to be served by direct trains and
\nthrough easy and convenient connections<\/p>\n
\u2022 The current Voyager diesel trains to be replaced by new electric bi-mode trains capable of 140mph
\nspeeds and with tilt<\/p>\n
\u2022 On-train facilities to be overhauled to create more space for luggage, bikes and buggies and to better
\nsegment diferent groups of passengers<\/p>\n
\u2022 Stations to become hubs for the local community with high quality facilities and seamless onward travel
\nlinks<\/p>\n
\u2022 Clear and simple fare and timetable information to help grow the overall market for rail<\/p>\n
\u2022 Infrastructure improvements to improve line speeds and line capacity for freight and passenger trains,
\nand to prepare the route for HS2 classic compatible trains<\/p>\n
\u2022 New HS2 trains offering accommodation that reflects best practice from around the world<\/p>\n
Paul Tetlaw, Head of the Policy Forum at Transform Scotland, said:<\/p>\n