First ScotRail
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| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Franchise(s) | ScotRail 17 October 2004 – 31 March 2015 |
| Main Region(s) | Scotland |
| Other Region(s) |
North West England North East England |
| Fleet size | 311 |
| Stations operated | 344 |
| Route km operated | 3032.0 |
| National Rail abbreviation | SR |
| Parent company | FirstGroup |
| Website | [http://www.scotrail.co.uk www.scotrail.co.uk] |
First ScotRail was a train operating company in Scotland owned by FirstGroup which operated the ScotRail franchise from October 2004 until March 2015. Prior to October 2004 trains were run by ScotRail (National Express). It was succeeded by Abellio ScotRail in March 2015.
It operated most commuter and long-distance services within the country as well as some cross-border services to England, including the Caledonian Sleeper. Of FirstGroup's four train operating companies, ScotRail was the second largest (in terms of number of passenger journeys 2013–14) after First Great Western at the time of closure.
National Express operated the ScotRail franchise from March 1997 until October 2004 as ScotRail.
In July 2003, the Scottish Executive and the Strategic Rail Authority announced Arriva, FirstGroup and National Express had been shortlisted to bid for the new franchise. In June 2004, the franchise was awarded to FirstGroup, with the services operated by ScotRail transferring to First ScotRail on 17 October 2004.
On 1 January 2006, Transport Scotland was created to carry out the Scottish Executive's transport responsibilities including its then newly devolved powers over rail franchising.
In April 2008, Transport Scotland granted First ScotRail a three-year franchise extension until November 2014.
In September 2008, Transport Scotland announced that all First ScotRail trains, including those previously operated on behalf of the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, would be repainted in a new blue livery with white saltire markings on the carriage ends. The rebranding put less emphasis on the First and is marketed as "ScotRail: Scotland's Railway". The first unit to receive the new livery was 170434, unveiled at Glasgow Queen Street on 22 September 2008.
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