Some of the other interesting issues include scenic route trains and committment to Scottish Community Rail Partnerships.
2.4. Scenic train initiatives
2.4.1. Background
As part of a sustainable approach to development, the Scottish Ministers wish to secure benefits for the wider Scottish community. One area that the Scottish Ministers wish to encourage is the promotion of tourism in Scottish communities, which can be facilitated by the introduction of scenic trains.
2.4.2. Transport Scotland’s requirements
Bidders should present plans to operate trains, which capitalise on the potential for tourism on many routes on the Scottish Rail Network. As a minimum, the plans must include scenic train provision on the West Highland Line to Oban / Fort William and the Kyle Line, where ‘scenic train provision’ may involve the provision of “premium carriages” on standard trains.
The Franchisee will be expected to work with local partners to develop their tourist services.
Bidders should demonstrate how tourist services could act as a showcase for Scotland, including catering facilities, which serve local/Scottish produce.
This should also include improving the scenic opportunities for passengers, and may involve vegetation clearance as appropriate working with local partners, Network Rail and owners of land adjoining the railway. Work of this nature has already taken place on the West Highland Line by Network Rail working with Friends of the West Highland Lines and the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park Authority.
Bidders should submit their own ideas for the configuration of scenic trains and on-board facilities. However, as a minimum Bidders are required to demonstrate that the seating will be arranged to maximise the view through the windows with improved seating comfort, the provision of Wi-Fi, appropriate luggage space, the ability to secure cycles and catering facilities, able to support at least an at-seat service of hot drinks and light refreshments featuring local produce where possible and otherwise Scottish produce where possible.
The train should contain appropriate tourist information, in an ambience that promotes the local heritage, scenery and tourist attractions with the aim of capturing the imagination of and leaving an impression of Scotland on the passenger.
2.4.3. Additional outcomes
The requirements of Transport Scotland for scenic train provision, as set out above, represent a minimum requirement for the ScotRail franchise. Bidders are free to identify more widespread or ambitious proposals, which promote and facilitate the development of tourism using Scotland’s railways. Transport Scotland is particularly interested in proposals that provide business to local communities, which the trains serve. Bringing more business to local communities may be achieved in a number of ways:
• Providing enhanced observation opportunities for passengers on board;
• Providing further levels of comfort on board;
• Wider or more ambitious geographical coverage;
• Provision of dedicated scenic trains, if this is shown to provide more patronage; and
• More opportunities for cross working with local communities. This may involve more opportunities for SMEs and the involvement of Community Rail Partnerships ( Bidders should cross reference Sections 2.3 (Social Initiatives) and 2.4 (Community Rail Partnership) of this Delivery Plan 4 (Sustainability) in this regard).
Any proposals should be backed up by appropriate research and undertakings to illustrate their robustness.
I can't see that personally.
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