UK: The Scottish government has put in place Temporary Measures Agreements to ensure the continuation of ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper services following the expiry of Emergency Measures Agreements.
The ScotRail TMA is a short-term deal covering the operation of services by Abellio until ScotRail Trains Ltd takes over on April 1.
The TMA for Caledonian Sleeper services will be in place until March 31 2023.
Abellio and Serco will continue to receive payments to cover the difference between revenue and operating costs, assessed as necessary in light of the continuing impact of the pandemic on rail use, together with a ‘small incentive payment linked strictly to good performance’.
‘These short-term measures will allow us to better understand the wider market and post-Covid recovery’, said Scottish Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth on March 17. ‘They will also help maintain value for money through the current franchise and allow us to focus on our immediate industry priorities which includes the long-term stability of all our rail services.’
