FAQs

Scottish Rail Holdings Limited (SRH) is a Non-Departmental Public Body controlled by Scottish Ministers that has been set up with the express purpose of overseeing the governance of train operating companies under Section 30 of the Railways Act 1993.

Its role is to act as the “owning group” of the new ScotRail operating company and provide separation between Transport Scotland as strategic policy-makers and the direct management of train service delivery for ScotRail Trains (SRT).

On 17 March 2021, the Transport Secretary Michael Matheson announced that with effect from 1st April 2022, the current ScotRail franchise (operated by Abellio) would end that that ScotRail services would be provided within the public sector by an ‘arm’s length company’ that is owned and controlled by the Scottish Government.

This holding company is SRH.

A number of roles are being created at Board level as part of the new Executive Non-Departmental Public Body, SRH.

These include a Chief Executive Officer, Finance Director, and a Rail Business Director. There will be a phased transition over the next few months as SRH is created and resourced, with Directors formally taking on their roles from 1 April 2022.

Chris Gibb has been appointed as Chief Executive and David Lowrie as Finance Director of SRH.

They lead a small secretariat that is currently being recruited.

To provide oversight and strategic direction for SRH and its subsidiaries, ensuring that the organisations deliver on all aspects of the Framework Agreement and Grant Agreement. These are the new arrangements that have been put in place between the Scottish Government, Transport Scotland and SRH to ensure the good governance of the railways in Scotland. He is supported in this role by the Finance Director and the Rail Business Director.

SRH oversees the delivery of high performing services by SRT on behalf of the Scottish Ministers.

It strikes a balance between the ability of experienced rail professionals to make operational decisions and overall accountability to the Scottish Ministers.

It also maintains strong partnerships with Network Rail and other parts of the rail industry.

No, there are no rail fares rises planned as a result of the changeover to the new operator.

The brand name of the company will remain ScotRail, but with the company in public ownership since 1st April 2022, references to the previous operator, Abellio, have been removed.

The railways in Scotland have carefully followed national health guidance and direction through the pandemic. Rail travel is safe – with trains and stations regularly cleaned. This will continue for as long as necessary.

Yes, the website of the new operator will remain scotrail.co.uk

Yes, any tickets purchased for travel that remain valid after 1st April 2022 are being honoured.

Yes, it will remain valid after the transition to the new ScotRail after 1st April 2022.

You may be able to apply for a full or partial refund, or amend the date of your travel, but this depends on the type of ticket you have bought and the terms and conditions of travel that apply to the ticket. Please check with ScotRail at www.scotrail.co.uk