About the event

We are delighted to invite you to a senior stakeholder working lunch on fleet renewal for Scotland's trains – the opportunities and the cost of delay.

• Date: Wednesday 10 June
• Time: 11:00 - 14:00
• Venue: Fettercairn Suite, The Scotsman Hotel, Edinburgh

The objective

Scotland’s rail fleet is reaching a critical turning point. With much of the rolling stock approaching end of life and public finances under significant pressure, there is an urgent need to rethink not just what we replace trains with, but how we unlock maximum value and deliver renewal at pace.

We’re bringing together over 40 leaders from across the rail industry - as well as economic, health and environment interests - to focus on a central question: What should Scotland’s next-generation fleet look like? And how do we deliver it within today’s constraints?

We’ll explore:

• The case for renewal: The wider economic, social and climate value of a modern fleet.
• The cost of delay: Identifying the real risks and fiscal consequences of deferred investment.
• Financing and delivery: What a credible plan would look like amidst constrained finances.
• Building alliances: How we build shared momentum across public, private, and civic partners to accelerate fleet renewal.

The aim is practical: to build a stronger case to accelerate fleet renewal in Scotland.

To support this conversation, we’ve published a new discussion paper which outlines the critical need for a clear, ambitious investment plan to renew Scotland’s ageing train fleets.

Event format

The event will run from 11:00 to 14:00 with opportunity for networking afterwards. A detailed agenda & speaker line-up to follow shortly. Event chair: George Lowder.

10:50 | Arrivals

11:00 | Opening session: A series of briefings, from Transform, Transport Scotland and Northern on new trains - the context, the opportunities, the ambition.

11:45 | Roundtable discussions and lunch: Facilitated, mixed-sector discussions focusing on the benefits and opportunities of fleet renewal, as well as strategies for delivery in a constrained fiscal environment.

13:15 | Plenary wrap up: Transform chair George Lowder will synthesise key themes discussed and set out next steps for guests and Transform's work on accelerating procurement timescales.

14:00 | Close

Additional information

• To encourage open and candid dialogue, the event will be held under the Chatham House Rule.
• Prior to attending the event please contact the event organiser if you have any specific access requirements or if you require personal assistance in the event of an evacuation.
• Please indicate any dietary requirements when you reserve your place.

If you have any questions about the event, please contact Laura, our Public Affairs Manager: laura.hyde-white@transform.scot