Scottish transport minister announces £5-bn train network overhaul

The Scottish transport minister has announced an overhaul of the train network that would cost £5 billion over five years.

Keith Brown told the Scottish parliament that changes would include a longer contract for the ScotRail brand, a separate franchise for the sleeper service and fare regulation designed to protect commuters and rural passengers.

"Rail must form a key part of a fully-integrated transport system," he said.

"Rail passengers are also cyclists, bus users and ferry passengers. It is essential for everyone that journeys are joined-up. 2014 is a real opportunity for us to make this happen, with new contracts for rail passenger services and a new funding agreement for Network Rail."

Outlining the government's ambition for the next franchise holder after 2014, he said the franchise to operate ScotRail would be extended from seven to 10 years with a potential break halfway to "encourage investment".

The sleeper contract would run separately for 15 years, which has led RMT union to claim that it would be left open to asset-stripping and could be run into the ground.