ScotRail has awarded Hitachi a seven-year contract extension to maintain the 100% electric commuter fleet (Class 385).
The contract extension includes both heavy and light maintenance of the Class 385 fleet, and will see an improved service quality regime to keep trains operating at peak performance for longer. This will result in more electric trains available for service, meaning more customers will benefit from quieter, greener more comfortable journeys on modern trains.
The contract will also ensure continued investment in infrastructure, people, and digital solutions, with the potential integration of Hitachi's digital asset monitoring platform - HMAX- into the fleet.
Hitachi has a strong collaborative relationship with ScotRail, delivering high quality maintenance services. The partnership has resulted in ScotRail’s ‘Express’ fleet consistently being one of the most reliable and best-performing in the UK, and has supported growth in customer demand.
The ScotRail Express fleet is currently 4.5 times more reliable than the UK industry average, making it the most reliable fleet with over 50 units. During 2024/25, more than 7.5 million customer journeys have been made on class 385 trains between Edinburgh and Glasgow – an increase of five per cent on 2023/24. Since the Class 385s introduction in 2019, the train operator has seen passenger journeys increase on this route by 2%.
Hitachi has made significant investments in Scotland's Railway in recent years, including a £30 million upgrade of the UK's oldest depot in Craigentinny, Edinburgh which involved upskilling the workforce to maintain modern, digitally integrated trains.
Being 100% electric, the Class 385 is already playing a major role reducing CO2 emissions on Scotland’s Railway. ScotRail estimates that the Class 385s have reduced carbon emissions on the mainline between Glasgow and Edinburgh by 82 per cent each year, or 25,208,20 kgCO2e, compared to the diesel trains they replaced.
Magnus Conn, ScotRail Engineering Director, said: “We are delighted to strengthen our successful partnership with Hitachi through this extended maintenance contract for our Class 385 fleet.
“It builds on the solid foundations of collaboration between ScotRail and Hitachi, ensuring our fleet remains safe, efficient, and ready to meet the future needs of Scotland’s Railway.
“Hitachi has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of our operational needs and a strong commitment to innovation and reliability. Their advanced technology and expertise will be instrumental in ensuring our trains remain reliable and efficient, allowing us to provide the high standard of service our customers expect and deserve.”
Angus Thom, Senior Director Operations, Service & Maintenance, UK & Ireland at Hitachi Rail said “This new contract strongly endorses Hitachi Rail’s maintenance capabilities. Our fleet is among the UK's most reliable, thanks to our close and positive collaboration with ScotRail as part of ‘Team Scotland’. Together, we have delivered one of the best fleets in Britain.
“Everyone at Hitachi Rail looks forward to continuing this relationship into the next decade. We are committed to continuous improvement and excited by the potential to digitally future-proofing this fleet.”
The contract extension ensures that Hitachi continues to be part of ‘Team Scotland’ – a collaboration between ScotRail, Transport Scotland, Network Rail and Hitachi Rail. The commuter fleet was built at Hitachi Rail’s UK factory in County Durham and was part of £1.3 billion investment in new trains and infrastructure funded by the Scottish Government and Network Rail.
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Image credit: Hitachi
