Despite the £144 million investment in the East Kilbride-Glasgow electric line, a quarter of the trains will still be diesel, according to ScotRail. This means that while electric trains will operate passenger services for the first time next Sunday, only 75% of services will be electric, with the remaining 25% running on polluting diesel trains.
The upgrade, which includes 22km of overhead electrification and extensive station remodelling, has been a long-awaited project. Network Rail, responsible for the rail infrastructure, claims that removing diesel trains will deliver substantial environmental benefits, such as reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality. However, the decision to maintain diesel trains has sparked debate.
ScotRail's explanation for this choice is twofold. Firstly, they mention the finite number of trains in their fleet, suggesting that operating all East Kilbride services as electric trains would compromise other routes. Secondly, they are in the process of procurement for a new fleet of suburban trains, which will serve routes including East Kilbride, indicating a future shift towards greener options.
The East Kilbride line, one of Scotland's busiest commuter services, connects East Kilbride to Glasgow Central via the East Renfrewshire suburbs. The upgrade includes new footbridges, lowered tracks, and new stations, with significant diversions experienced by Thornliebank residents during the construction period. Despite the improvements, the presence of diesel trains on the line remains a topic of discussion, with environmental concerns and the potential for future changes in the spotlight.
