11 RTP/15/21 TAYSIDE AND CENTRAL TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIP

16 JUNE 2015

RAIL ISSUES UPDATE

REPORT BY PROJECTS MANAGER

This report updates the Partnership on progress made in promoting and implementing Rail Strategy priorities and on various rail issues.

1 RECOMMENDATIONS

1.1 That the Partnership :-

(i) notes progress made in promoting and implementing Rail Strategy projects and remits officers to prioritise efforts on achieving delivery of an additional hourly service between Arbroath and ; (ii) agrees to write to the Minister for Transport and Islands requesting Scottish Government support for implementation of the Tay Estuary Rail service proposals on the Arbroath to Glasgow corridor and commitment to retention of cascaded rolling stock with Scotland; (iii) notes the findings of the Relocation of Invergowrie Station: Outline Business Case and agrees to defer further work pending progress on implementation of an hourly stopping service; (iv) agrees to receive a report at a future meeting on demand forecasting for new stations at Bridge of Earn/Newburgh; (v) invites the Chief Executive of to attend and present to the Partnership meeting on 15 September 2015; (vi) notes the various progress updates on rail franchising, rail services and Community Rail Partnerships

2 BACKGROUND

2.1 The Tay Estuary Rail Study (TERS) study (2009) identified a number of proposed enhancements to services and infrastructure, including an hourly stopping service between Arbroath and Glasgow, station enhancements at Gleneagles Station and further investigation of a business case for the relocation of Invergowrie Station to Dundee West (Report RTP/09/25 refers).

2.2 Tactran is working in partnership with Perth & Kinross Council, SEStran and Fife Council on a preliminary investigation to jointly consider the demand potential at proposed new/reopened rail stations at Bridge of Earn (Oudenarde) and Newburgh.

2.3 Investigation of the potential benefits of relocating Bridge of Allan Station to the south to improve access from the wider Bridge of Allan/Cornton population has been undertaken in partnership with Council.

2.4 A number of rail franchises have commenced recently: Abellio commenced operating the ScotRail franchise on 1 April 2015; Serco commenced operating the Caledonian Sleeper franchise on 1 April 2015; Inter City Railways, a Stagecoach/Virgin consortium, commenced operating the East Coast franchise on 1 March 2015.

1 2.5 There are improvement works scheduled as part of Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP) that will affect rail services in the Tactran area: Winchburgh Tunnel programmed for Summer 2015 and Glasgow Queen Street Station Improvements programmed for Spring/Summer 2016.

2.6 There are currently two designated Community Rail Partnerships (CRP) in the Tactran area: CRP and West Highland CRP. An application is being developed for CRP status for the Strathallan area.

3 DISCUSSION

Rail Strategy

Tay Estuary Rail Service

3.1 The long term ambition for Tay Estuary Rail Service is to provide an additional hourly stopping service calling at Arbroath, Carnoustie, Monifieth, Broughty Ferry, Dundee, Invergowrie (Dundee West), Perth, Gleneagles, , Stirling and Glasgow to complement the existing and future Aberdeen/ to Glasgow intercity services.

3.2 The TERS Study identified a number of significant benefits in providing the additional hourly stopping service between Arbroath and Glasgow. The service:

 improves accessibility to rail transport for a significant portion of the population in the Tactran area.  assists in achieving the Government objectives for transport interventions.  provides excellent synergy with STPR project 23 Rail Improvements between Aberdeen and the Central Belt.  provides a positive Benefit to Cost Ratio.  generates forecast patronage of over 300,000 passengers/annum.  requires low capital investment and focuses on making more efficient use of resources currently available.

3.3 In order to provide the additional hourly service, 3 Diesel Multiple Units are required. The TERS study identified the ScotRail refranchise in 2015 and the completion of EGIP in 2016, which will result in release of diesel rolling stock for use on other routes, as key opportunities to progress implementation of the TERS service.

3.4 The final Invitation to Tender (ITT) for the ScotRail re-franchise issued in January 2014, included reference to the TERS study. Tactran officers met all five companies invited to tender for the ScotRail franchise, including Abellio, to promote TERS service enhancements and other rail proposals and aspirations for the Tactran area.

3.5 Tactran officers have met with Transport Scotland and Abellio on several occasions since Abellio was awarded preferred bidder status in October 2014. It has become clear from these meetings and inspection of the Franchise Agreement and ScotRail Service Level Commitment that, despite TERS being referenced in the ITT, other than already committed projects such as EGIP and Highland Main Line (HML), no significant service improvements are currently planned or proposed in the Tactran area.

2 3.6 Passenger growth at stations on the Arbroath to Glasgow rail corridor has increased by over 20% in the period 2005/6 to 2013/14 and this rate of growth is set to continue if not increase over the next 10 years of the ScotRail franchise. It is understood that Abellio is aiming for 40% overall growth over the lifetime of the franchise. It is currently unclear what provision has been made by Abellio to accommodate this growth, other than replacing the intercity 170 units with High Speed Trains (HST) in 2018, which will provide some increase in seated passenger capacity.

3.7 Given the significant growth in rail patronage over recent years, coupled with Abellio’s aspiration to increase demand by a further 40% over the 10 years of the ScotRail franchise, it is considered that the additional passenger capacity which would result from introducing the TERS service proposals on the Arbroath – Glasgow corridor will be vital to accommodating projected passenger growth and rail demand on services running through and serving the Tactran region. It is essential that efforts are made now to retain cascaded rolling from implementation of EGIP in 2016 and introduction of HST’s in 2018 within Scotland, rather than lose this resource to other franchises.

3.8 The Partnership is therefore recommended to write to the Minister for Transport and Islands and the Chief Executive of Transport Scotland to request their support for implementation of the TERS proposals for service enhancements on the Arbroath to Glasgow corridor, including the retention of cascaded rolling stock within Scotland upon completion of the EGIP improvements, to enable strengthening and improvement of the Scottish rail network as envisaged by TERS and other proposals.

Invergowrie Station Relocation: Outline Business Case

3.9 The relocation of Invergowrie Station to Dundee West was appraised as one of a number of station ‘overlay’ options to the rail service options in the original TERS (2009) study and performed strongest in terms of economic returns, integration and community accessibility. The study concluded that this option was only compatible with an hourly stopping service and that further work is required to fully understand the demand potential and locations from which patronage would be attracted. The TERS (2009) study was reported to Partnership meeting on 23 June 2009 (Report RTP/09/25 refers) at which officers were remitted to take forward the conclusions of the study.

3.10 This further work, as with all TERS studies has been taken forward by a Steering Group comprising Tactran, Transport Scotland, and ScotRail, as an Outline Business Case for the relocation of Invergowrie Station, which assumes an additional hourly stopping service between Arbroath and Glasgow and Western Gateway Villages being occupied by 2019,

3.11 At its meeting on 17 June 2014 the Partnership received a report on an Outline Business Case (OBC) that indicates that relocating Invergowrie Station to Dundee West has the potential for a positive Benefit to Cost Ratio (BCR) of 2.31 (Report RTP/14/14 refers). The demand forecast for the two locations, existing Invergowrie Station and Dundee West site, indicates an increase in demand of 108,000 passengers per annum, by relocating to Dundee West with much of this demand as a result of car park provision at the relocated Dundee West site. Just under 40,000 passengers per annum relates to generated demand with the remainder being trips abstracted from Dundee Station.

3 3.12 Following the completion of the updated OBC, Tactran officers engaged with Transport Scotland and the rail industry to consider the study results. In September 2014 both Network Rail and First ScotRail noted the results of the study and confirmed they were content with the methodology used.

3.13 First ScotRail believed that the study was a proportionate assessment of two options to identify which best complements a larger scheme for which a full appraisal has been undertaken. Abellio has since confirmed this remains ScotRail’s opinion of the study. Network Rail suggested some minor alterations such as references to rail policy documents and clarification of the Scottish Stations Fund process. A copy of this updated OBC is available in the Members’ area of www.tactran.gov.uk.

3.14 Although part of the Steering Group throughout all TERS studies, Transport Scotland has indicated that they are unable to comment formally on the demand forecasts and economic appraisal for a new station at Dundee West until the work is considered as part of a multi-modal appraisal in line with Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidelines (STAG). However, Transport Scotland noted that it is likely that the technical assessment work undertaken thus far would be of use in appraising the station relocation option.

3.15 All three organisations note that the OBC relies on an hourly service that does not currently exist. As noted in paragraph 3.9 above, the purpose of undertaking the OBC work, was to provide the rail industry with information on how Invergowrie Station Relocation could add to the main TERS recommendation for an additional hourly stopping service between Arbroath and Glasgow. Tactran officers, consider that the work undertaken to date has demonstrated that the proposal to relocate Invergowrie Station to Dundee West has the potential for a positive business case and a positive assessment against TERS and Scottish Government transport objectives, should the additional hourly service be implemented.

3.16 It is proposed that efforts would now be best prioritised on achieving the additional hourly stopping service between Arbroath and Glasgow, as set out in paragraphs 3.1 to 3.8 above, prior to undertaking any further work on Invergowrie Station Relocation OBC.

Bridge of Earn / Newburgh

3.17 The Perth & Kinross Proposed Local Development Plan includes a mixed housing and employment development at Oudenarde, next to Bridge of Earn to the east of the M90. As part of this development land has been set aside to accommodate a new rail station. Tactran’s Park & Ride Strategy includes the action to support the development of a new rail station at Bridge of Earn.

3.18 The provision of a rail station at Newburgh is supported by Fife Council’s Local Transport Strategy and Local Development Plan and is included within SEStran’s RTS Delivery Plan.

3.19 Given the relative proximity of these proposed new/reopened stations and the likely operational and passenger catchment interactions between the two proposals, Tactran, SEStran, Perth & Kinross Council and Fife Council are working in partnership to fund a demand forecasting exercise for both proposed stations as a pre-cursor to any full STAG appraisal.

4 3.20 Demand forecasting work is being undertaken by SEStran’s term consultants, SYSTRA Ltd and it is anticipated that the outcome will be reported to a future Partnership meeting.

Bridge of Allan Station Relocation

3.21 Bridge of Allan (population circa 5,000) is located three miles north of the city of Stirling on the A9 main road from Stirling and close to the M9 trunk road. Bridge of Allan rail station is located on the very western periphery of the town, immediately south of the A9 with the rail line running parallel to the M9.

3.22 A relocation of the station to the south, to bring it within walking distance of a wider catchment including Bridge of Allan, Cornton and Causewayhead, and potential new development to the south of Bridge of Allan is being considered.

3.23 Initial demand forecasting work to investigate the benefits of relocating Bridge of Allan Station has been completed and has been being fed into Development Management & Planning: Technical Appraisal Guidance (DPMTAG) work currently being undertaken to inform the Stirling Local Development Plan Review.

Franchises Update

ScotRail

3.24 Abellio commenced operating the ScotRail franchise on 1 April 2015. As reported orally at the Partnership meeting on 10 March 2015, Tactran hosted a regional stakeholder briefing by Abellio on 6 March 2015 in which they set out their plans for the life of the franchise. A copy of the presentation given by Abellio is included as Appendix A to this report for information.

Caledonian Sleeper

3.25 Serco commenced operating the Caledonian Sleeper on 1 April 2015. As reported to the Partnership meeting on 10 March 2015, the Projects Manager met on 11 March 2015 with the Caledonian Sleeper Chief Executive and a summary note of this meeting is included at Appendix B for information. It is recommended that the Partnership invites the Chief Executive of Caledonian Sleeper to attend and present to the Partnership’s next meeting on 15 September 2015 on their plans for the new franchise.

East Coast

3.26 Inter City Railways, a Stagecoach/Virgin consortium, commenced operating the East Coast franchise on 1 March 2015. Tactran, along with SEStran, Nestrans, Hitrans, Angus Council and Dundee City Council are active members of the East Coast Mainline Authorities (ECMA) consortium. It is envisaged that public sector engagement with the new East Coast franchise operator will be primarily through ECMA, with direct engagement on regional/local issues as necessary.

3.27 The next meeting of ECMA is to be held on 3 July 2015 and the need for any additional direct engagement with Inter City Railways will be reviewed in light of the outcomes from that meeting.

5 Improvement Works

Winchburgh Tunnel

3.28 As part of the on-going EGIP works, Winchburgh Tunnel, which is located between Haymarket and Linlithgow Stations, will be closed from 13 June – 26 July 2015, to allow for electrification works to be undertaken. As a result there will be some disruption to rail services in the Tactran area during this period.

3.29 ScotRail services between Edinburgh and Stirling/Bridge of Allan/Dunblane will be rerouted around the Chord. As a result, services will depart from these stations as currently timetabled, but the journey time will be extended by 25 minutes. One service a day to/from Edinburgh via Stirling calls at Perth and Gleneagles and will be similarly extended by 25 minutes. ScotRail services between Edinburgh – Dundee – Aberdeen and Edinburgh – Perth – Inverness will not be affected. Further information can be accessed at www..co.uk/winchburgh.

3.30 Caledonian Sleeper and East Coast London/Inverness services will be diverted through Fife and will not call at Stirling, Dunblane or Gleneagles for the duration of the works. Caledonian Sleeper is advising users of these stations to use a ScotRail service to/from Glasgow Queen Street to enable them to use the Glasgow/London sleeper service departing/arriving at Glasgow . East Coast is operating a replacement coach service between Inverkeithing and Gleneagles and vice versa throughout the works. Caledonian Sleeper and East Coast London/Aberdeen services will not be affected by the works.

Glasgow Queen Street Station

3.31 As part of EGIP, Glasgow Queen Street Station is to undergo a £104m upgrade that will transform the passenger experience and enable the existing platforms to be extended to accommodate longer trains. To facilitate this upgrade, Glasgow Queen Street Station (Upper Level) will be closed between March and August 2016.

3.32 ScotRail are at the early stages of planning a strategy to accommodate services during the closure, with services diverted to Glasgow Queen Street Lower Level Station or , both of which will add to journey times. The emerging strategy is to allocate services from each city to one of these stations and to make most use of limited paths available (e.g. possibly extend Glasgow – Dunblane services northwards). The emerging proposals for services to the Tactran area are:

 Intercity Aberdeen services (Stirling/Perth/Dundee/Angus) - rerouted to Glasgow Central Station;  Intercity Inverness (Stirling/Perth) - rerouted to Glasgow Central Station;  Stirling services - rerouted to Glasgow Queen Street Lower Level Station;  Perth - Stirling services extended further northwards to Perth to provide an hourly service to Perth (in addition to Inverness Services).  Dundee - shuttle service possibly between Arbroath and Perth to connect with Perth/Glasgow services (in addition to Aberdeen services).

3.33 Initial discussions with ScotRail have included requesting consideration of options to strengthen the stopping patterns at intermediate stations such as Gleneagles within the extended Stirling services and also stations between Arbroath and Dundee if a shuttle service is introduced.

6 3.34 Two meetings have been held with ScotRail to discuss the implications of the Queen Street closure and a further meeting is likely towards the end of July 2015. Further developments will be reported to future meetings.

Community Rail Partnerships (CRP)

3.35 Abellio has committed to providing £1m per annum throughout the life of the ScotRail franchise to support CRP initiatives. They intend repurposing the CRP as “ScotRail in the Community” and supporting this with two in-house Community Liaison Executives to replace the two ACoRP Development Officer posts which ended on 1st April 2015. Abellio expect the new Community Liaison Executives to be in post during June 2015 and as part of their initial induction they will be contacting RTPs and CRPs to arrange meetings to discuss local plans and ScotRail’s support.

Highland Main Line

3.36 The Highland Main Line (HML) CRP includes all stations north of Perth and South of Inverness. The HML CRP received designated CRP status in late 2014 and appointed office bearers to its Board in April 2015. Tactran and Hitrans were asked to give consideration to joining the HML CRP Board. However, following discussions with Hitrans, it has been indicated to the HML CRP that it would be appropriate and useful for the two RTPs to be observers/advisers, should the HML CRP Board so wish.

West Highland

3.37 The West Highland CRP covers all 19 stations between and including Crianlarich and Mallaig. At its meeting on 10 March 2015 the Tactran Partnership endorsed the West Highland application to Scottish Ministers for CRP status and the West Highland CRP received designated CRP status during March 2015.

Strathallan

3.38 A Steering Group has been formed to develop an application for CRP status and a draft application has been submitted to Tactran for consideration. Tactran officers have provided initial comments on the application, but have indicated that consideration for approval will follow after discussion with Abellio’s new Community Liaison Officers regarding process and procedures for “ScotRail in the Community” initiative.

4 CONSULTATIONS

4.1 The Tay Estuary Rail Strategy has been developed with a Steering Group comprising Tactran, Transport Scotland, Network Rail and First ScotRail and in consultation with constituent Councils’ officers and other appropriate stakeholders. Bridge of Allan rail station proposals were taken forward in partnership with Stirling Council. In addition the Bridge of Earn/Newburgh rail station proposals are being taken forward in partnership with neighbouring RTP SEStran, Perth & Kinross Council and Fife Council.

4.2 Consultation has taken place with Abellio, Serco and Inter City Railways regarding the relevant franchises and specifically with Abellio regarding EGIP Improvement works and likely disruption.

7 4.3 Discussions on Community Rail Partnerships have been with ACoRP, appropriate Community Groups and representatives, Scottish Government, Network Rail, ScotRail, other Regional Transport Partnerships and Local Authority officers.

4.4 This report has been developed in consultation with the Transportation Officers Liaison Group and Chief Officers Liaison Group, who are in agreement with the proposals.

5 RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS

5.1 The costs of developing, promoting and implementing the various strands of the Rail Strategy, as discussed in this report, have been met from within the RTS Revenue Programme budget and Tactran’s Capital Programme, with additional contributions from various partners as outlined above.

6 EQUALITIES IMPLICATIONS

6.1 This report has been screened for any policy implications in respect of Equality Impact Assessment and no major issues have been identified.

Niall Gardiner Projects Manager

Report prepared by Niall Gardiner. For further information contact email [email protected] or telephone 01738 475764.

NOTE

The following background papers, as defined by Section 50D of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (and not containing confidential or exempt information) were relied on to a material extent in preparing this Report.

Report to Partnership RTP/09/25, Tay Estuary Rail Study, 23 June 2009

Report to Partnership RTP/13/33, Tay Estuary Rail Strategy Update, 10 December 2013

Report to Partnership RTP/14/14, Tay Estuary Rail Strategy Update, 17 June 2014

8 Tactran ScotRail Roadshow Abellio Presentation

6th March 2015 Julian Edwards, Deputy MD Finance & Commercial

NedRailways Setting the scene for today’s presentation

1. Why did we bid for ScotRail?

2. We set out to present our bid as a game changer for Scotland’s national railway

3. Generating a vision and transforming Scotland’s national railway

4. Developing integrated travel within Scotland

5. Thinking customer, customer, customer

6. Why Abellio and our commitment?

7. Questions 1. Scotland’s National Railway - Inheriting a success story …………………

 ………..which we would like to take from Good to Great

 Scotland’s national railway is clearly a success where it has grown from 63 million to nearly 87 million

 Over 200 additional daily rail services

 Performance which has steadily improved over years and resulted in high levels of passenger satisfaction

 Real investment in a growing railway which will present many short term challenges for passengers with a long term gain

 A bigger and better railway is the prize in sight 2. Scotland and The Netherlands: a partnership of equals

 For us the opportunity to operate ScotRail is the most prestigious new business opportunity that Dutch Railways and Abellio have ever been given and we are extremely excited about it

 Our two countries share a long and rich heritage of business and cultural exchange. Our plans for ScotRail build on that history of mutual development

 The plans hard wire in a business programme of international best practice exchange from an operating level up to a inter-Government level where we have Ministerial support for a biennial rail summit between our countries

 We have opened many new relationships for the railway in Scotland and our plans are aimed at exceeding the objectives that Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government have set for ScotRail Scotland’s national railway becoming a real contributor to the Scottish economy Recognition of Scotland and The Netherlands: as a partnership of equals

 Stakeholder consultations started in October 2012: – Gathered details of over 700 stakeholders and organisations – Top 100 received personal invitations to consult – Had in excess of 200 meetings and attended 85 conferences or other events – Engaged with MSPs and senior stakeholders and had a fantastic attendance at the Abellio Holyrood Reception after our successful prequalification – 80 per cent who attended were not from rail – We explored new territory where we met with stakeholders that had never had any previous engagement on ScotRail

 Our highest priorities from the outset were to understand Scotland’s objectives for its network, and to secure the confidence of stakeholders

 We have done that and reflected that insight in our successful bid plans which include letters of support from 145 stakeholders The heart of our bid

 New Hitachi trains for Scotland – We are the only Group who can guarantee the price, the specification and the delivery schedule in a manner that is not open to challenge. TS have option to take ownership

 Significant savings through a Deep Alliance with Network Rail – One railway; combining a nationally funded infrastructure and service provider

 Transformation of the inter-city network – Fully refurbished, wi-fi enabled fleet of HSTs to connect the seven cities by December 2018, combined with significant enhancements at Aberdeen, Inverness and Perth stations

 Faster inter-city services – Headline journey time benefits and an improvement in the overall inter-city journey time metric Translating The Abellio Way: A guarantee of quality from Abellio companies

 We will introduce the Abellio Way: our cultural and business framework that aligns business plans, performance measurement, cultural behaviours and areas of excellence in our businesses

 It is based on EFQM which we have been using since 2006: In 2012 Abellio won the British Quality Foundation (BQF) Gold Medal Award, having “demonstrated outstanding and sustained commitment to excellence over a number of years”

 The strategic foundations of the Abellio Way underpin our plans for ScotRail

 The Abellio Way ensures that when working with us, people are assured of a consistent integrated philosophy and way of working Developing Our Vision for Scotland

 ScotRail has the presence and scale to exploit customers appetite to introduce and manage a “pan-Scotland” “Smart Mobility Management” solution that will transform the perception and usage of public transport  Our solution will – support passengers’ door-to-door journeys – offer the passenger one payment and ticketing solution for all his public transport needs – integrate existing smart ticketing solutions – take advantage of emerging technology and changing passenger behaviour to offer an experience that will set the standard for passenger / operator interaction for decades to come. Transforming quality of Scotland’s rail services

– Quality Inter-City services between Scotland’s 7 cities – Fully refurbished fleet of High Speed Trains (HST) with power doors, improved comfort, PRM compliance and on train catering – 20% increase in capacity – Potential for significant journey time improvements between cities

10 Transforming quality of Scotland’s rail services

– New longer Hitachi Class 3xx (AT200) electric trains on the E&G, Dunblane/Alloa and Glasgow suburban routes – Increasing capacity and quicker journey times – Significant refurbishment – 23% more carriages

11 Transforming quality of Scotland’s rail services

Great Scottish Scenic Railway

– Fully refurbished fleet of Class 158 DMUs with improved comfort, PRM compliance, on train catering and a Tourist Ambassador on board by November 2018 – Refreshed Class 156 DMUs on and / routes – WiFi, power sockets, CET, cycle storage, PIS, CCTV

12 Commitments to new technologies, station improvements, scenic trains, integration

13 Changing the customer experience through real integration with other modes So, why Abellio and our commitment?

 Through our parent company NS, we operate and understand the true role of a national railway. For the Dutch economy the rail network has become an intrinsic feature of its growth over many decades and has helped to give it a competitive edge over other economies with less well-developed transport

 We will achieve similar gains for Scotland by better aligning the railways to support the national performance framework and making the most of knowledge sharing opportunities for both NS and Abellio ScotRail

 We have a track record of being a trusted partner, easy to do business with, and transparent in negotiations. We have never sought to renegotiate our financial commitments Our Commitment to Tayside & Central Scotland

1. Strategic Rail Delivery Group

3. Deliver a business case for Perth and Stirling Station improvements

4. Improved waiting waiting facilities at Dunblane, Stirling & Bridge of Allan

5. Better wayfinding at Stirling, Perth and Dundee stations

6. Staffed information desks at Stirling, Perth and Dundee & ToGoKiosk at Stirling

7. Additional car parking at Stirling

8. Additional cycling spaces at Dunblane

9. Bike & Go Facilities at Perth and Dundee

10. Cyclepoint at Stirling Thank you

www.abellio.com Appendix B Caledonian Sleeper Tactran Office 11 March 2013

Summary Note of Meeting

Rolling Stock  New rolling stock to be introduced by April 2018. In meantime intend higher level of maintenance of existing stock.  Different offerings – reclining seat; flatbed pod; berth; berth with en-suite – will be same on each route.  New Lounge Car – much greater capability for a range of quality food.  Keen to consider local food produce and Caledonian Sleeper happy to be contacted by interested parties.

Inbound Tourism  Recognise need to promote Sleeper Services in London and England and the various destination opportunities in Tactran Region – Golf, Winter/Outdoor pursuits, V&A etc. discussed. Marketing Director is targeting inbound tourism and promotion. Caledonian Sleeper happy for further discussion on this.

Stations  Already liaising with Abellio. However, keen to understand local aspirations and development proposals for stations.  Franchise commitment to provide shower facilities at Dundee, Perth, Stirling and Crianlarich within 2 years of franchise start-up.  Preference is for facilities to be provided within station, but in negotiation with hotels adjacent to stations to provide facility, as a start-up measure at least. Crianlarich arrangement with adjacent hotel agreed, others still in negotiation. Caledonian Sleeper unsure if there is a suitable hotel in close proximity to Stirling Station.  Other Stations – Gleneagles in discussion with Abellio about use of station buildings; Pitlochry considering hotel options; Carnoustie recognise Golf and the Open opportunity.  Franchise commitment to introduce interactive totems at all 14 stations Sleeper service calls at in Tactran area.  Totems will provide: information about the Sleeper and the local area; wifi at stations where none currently exists; video link to Sleeper guest service centre.  Recognise that services in Tactran area arrive early in day (between 5.30 and 6.30am) and depart late at night and want to make customer experience as good as possible. They currently have no proposals for further station enhancements, but keen to liaise and have awareness of local proposals and nearby facilities.

Integrated Ticketing/Travel Information  Currently Caledonian Sleeper website is dedicated to Sleeper only, as both Virgin East Coast and Abellio ScotRail franchises also at start-up phase. However, initial talks have been held with Virgin and propose to offer “add on’s” such as ScotRail services later in 2015, as per of franchise agreement.  Recognise the trend for Sleeper to London and return by Virgin East Coast and see this as complementary opportunity, rather than competition.

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 Interested in Tactran’s refreshed GoToo.com website when re-launched.

Community Rail Partnerships  Would like involvement with Highland Main Line CRP and keep a watching brief of the West Highland CRP and Strathallan CRP.

Further Engagement  Caledonian Sleeper offered to attend a future Tactran Partnership meeting to give presentation and/or answer questions.  Caledonian Sleeper happy to attend officer meetings and for contact details to be provided.

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