Scotrail Reveals Refurbished Trains
25 year old fleet has been brought up to date
ScotRail has unveiled the first of 40 trains which are being given a £14 million refurbishment in Glasgow. The firm said 137-seat class 158 trains will have improved seating, lighting and accessibility as well as at-seat power sockets which customers can use. They are also being fitted with new CCTV systems and have revamped interiors, including modern toilets. The work being carried out at the Knorr-Bremse RailServices' Springburn facility, where 14 extra staff were recruited for the project. The first carriage will leave the depot on Wednesday and will be on the track ready for the opening day of the new Borders Railway. The trains will then be rolled out at a rate of roughly one a month between now and April 2018 on routes across Scotland. ScotRail Alliance managing director Phil Verster said: We've listened to customers and that feedback is reflected in the upgrades being made. "Seats are better aligned alongside windows, interiors are brighter and more modern, and people can charge phones and laptops during their journeys.'' Transport minister Derek Mackay said: "We are investing record amounts in Scotland's railways and with passenger numbers increasing by more than six million last year, these refurbished trains will further improve the travel experience.''