ScotRail creates 130 new jobs across the central belt

 

Originally published: 31/8/2010

ScotRail has announced a major jobs boost with the creation of 130 posts across the central belt. The jobs are a direct result of the new Glasgow to Edinburgh via Airdrie and Bathgate line which will open on December 12.

More than half the jobs will be based in Bathgate, West Lothian.

The 74 posts at Bathgate will be a massive fillip to the local economy, with their salaries alone totalling more than £1.3 million a year.

ScotRail, which is operated by First, will also recruit 56 more people across the new route, raising the overall wage bill to about £2.5m.

The route, which will have new stations at Caldercruix, Blackridge and Armadale, has been funded by the Scottish Government at a cost of more than £300m.

The majority of jobs being created are frontline – including seven staff at the relocated Bathgate station which will open in mid-October, marking a significant milestone for the overall project.

The jobs also include 11 train drivers at the new maintenance depot at Bathgate and 31 on board ticket examiners who will also be based in the West Lothian town. 

Steve Montgomery, ScotRail’s managing director, said:  "The new line is great news – creating jobs and travel opportunities. It also demonstrates the commitment and strength of industry partnerships in achieving significant improvements to the railway in Scotland. I am confident it will be a great success.”
Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change said: "Recent trends showing increasing passenger numbers on our rail network are encouraging, but if we want that to continue, and if we want to encourage more people to use public transport, then the delivery of projects like the Airdrie - Bathgate is crucial.

“We can already see rewards for our economy through these jobs which will not only bring benefits to those gaining new employment. The services they will deliver mean tens of thousands of passengers across Scotland will have access to a high level of services on a new fleet of environmentally friendly trains."

Ron McAulay, Network Rail director, Scotland, said: “As we near completion of the new line it is immensely satisfying to see our hard work now contributing to tangible benefits for communities along the route.

“These jobs are likely to be the first of many to be created as a direct or indirect result of the Airdrie-Bathgate rail link. As well as improving travel options, the line was built as a catalyst to help improve the lives and opportunities of thousands of people in West Lothian and North Lanarkshire and we’re please to see that coming to fruition.”