ScotRail has announced plans to replace its ageing intercity high-speed trains with 22 refurbished Class 222s in a move the operator says will improve comfort, accessibility and reliability for passengers across Scotland’s main city routes. The fleet, which serves Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness, is expected to be introduced in phases, with the first trains entering service next year and the final HST due to leave the network by December 2028.
The trains will be taken from East Midlands Railway and undergo an £80 million refurbishment programme before arriving in Scotland, supported by £67 million of Scottish Government investment. ScotRail said the overhaul will include a full repaint, updated livery and improvements to the passenger interior, while the trains will also receive extensive maintenance and component overhauls before delivery.
Joanne Maguire, ScotRail managing director, said: “This is fantastic news for our customers and our staff as we continue to work towards delivering a safe, green and reliable railway.” She added: “More modern trains are a significant factor in encouraging more people to leave the car at home and travel by rail, and this investment will deliver a considerable improvement in the journey experience.”
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Maguire also said passengers would “see immediate benefits” from the refurbished fleet, including better comfort, accessibility and reliability. ScotRail said the move forms part of its wider decarbonisation programme and long-term plans to make rail travel a more attractive option on key intercity corridors.
The replacement of the HST fleet has also been welcomed by the rail union Aslef, which has campaigned for the older trains to be updated or removed. Scotland representative Jim Baxter said the trains needed replacing because they offered “superior crash protection and enhanced passenger comfort” compared with the ageing HSTs.
ScotRail said the new fleet will help strengthen services on some of the country’s busiest routes and support work with Scottish suppliers during the refurbishment and maintenance programme. The operator said the first of the Class 222s should enter service by late next year, with the full fleet in operation before the end of 2028.
