UK: ScotRail has formally started the process of procuring a fleet of electric and battery-electric suburban multiple-units to enter service in the early 2030s.
The Scottish-government owned operator expects to order a minimum of 69 trains, with options for up to 37 more, and to award a technical support & spares supply agreement running for a minimum of 15 years with options to extend up to 35 years.
The units are be used on the East Kilbride, Fife, Borders and Glasgow inner suburban routes, including on the Argyle Line which covers services between Glasgow and Motherwell, Larkhall and Lanark and South Electrics including the Shotts line. They will replace 42 Class 156 DMUs, and 55 Class 318 and 320 EMUs operating in the Glasgow area.
Ambitions include more comfortable journeys, improved onboard facilities such as modern air-conditioning, greater reliability, reduced emissions, active travel provision and increased accessibility such as level boarding.
Procurement timeline
The procurement notice issued on November 5 follows on from a market engagement exercise with potential suppliers which was undertaken earlier this year.
Requests to participate are required by January 19 2026, with invitations to tender expected to be issued to selected candidates on July 17 2026 and bids required to be valid until April 28 2028.
The process is being co-ordinated with electrification work which is expected to be completed by Network Rail by 2029, with the new trains expected to arrive in 2031.
ScotRail expects to conduct a parallel procurement process to appoint an entity to finance and own the trains and lease them to ScotRail and any successor operator. ScotRail is to be the primary maintainer.
Easier and more attractive choice
The fleet renewal ‘is an essential step in making rail the easier, more attractive choice compared with travelling by car’, said ScotRail Chief Operating Officer David Ross. ‘We look forward to further discussions with potential suppliers as we continue to deliver a safe, reliable and green railway.’
On November 5 the operator said two-thirds of its trains will need to be replaced within the next 15 years. There is a separate procurement ongoing to replace ScotRail’s diesel HST sets used on inter-city routes in Scotland.
