If you've ever settled into a ScotRail high-speed train and noticed the seats looking a little tired, the WiFi patchy, or the plug sockets conspicuously absent — help is on the way. And it's arriving with a £147 million price tag.

ScotRail announced today that its fleet of ageing high-speed trains (HSTs) will be replaced by 22 modern Class 222 trains in a major overhaul of intercity services. The investment — £80 million for new rolling stock and £67 million from the Scottish Government — represents one of the most significant commitments to Scotland's rail network in years.

Which routes will benefit?

The new trains will serve ScotRail's key intercity corridors: Glasgow to Edinburgh, Glasgow to Aberdeen, and Glasgow to Inverness. These are some of the busiest routes in the country, carrying millions of passengers each year for work, leisure, and study.

The current HSTs are the oldest trains in ScotRail's fleet and are, in the operator's own words, "reaching the end of their usable life." That age brings higher maintenance costs and increasingly unreliable service — something regular commuters will know all too well.

What passengers can expect

The replacement Class 222s will be fully refurbished before entering service, and the upgrades are squarely focused on the passenger experience.

Every seat and table will have USB-A and USB-C plug sockets — a long-overdue addition for anyone who's spent a two-hour journey watching their phone battery drain. WiFi will be improved, carriages will be reconfigured to maximise window alignment and luggage storage, and there'll be a new electronic seat reservation system.

Accessibility is getting a meaningful upgrade too, with wheelchair spaces provided in both first class and standard class carriages. CCTV will be upgraded, and new carpets, interiors, and freshly painted exteriors will give the trains a modern feel from the moment passengers step on board.

There's a green angle as well: the new trains will feature Intelligent Engine Start Stop technology, which automatically cuts the engine when idling to reduce emissions.

When will they arrive?

The first of the new Class 222s will enter service by late 2027, with the full fleet expected to be operational before the end of 2028. Six trains will arrive early in 2027 specifically for staff training, giving crews around nine months to familiarise themselves with the new stock before passengers climb aboard.

A contract has been awarded to rolling stock leasing company Beacon for the provision of the trains, and to Alstom for technical support, spares, and maintenance — a deal worth around £250 million over the next decade.

'Fantastic news for customers and staff'

ScotRail Managing Director Joanne Maguire welcomed the announcement: "This is fantastic news for our customers and our staff, as we continue to work towards delivering a safe, green, and reliable railway. More modern trains are a significant factor in encouraging more people to leave the car at home and travel by rail."

She added: "Introducing fully refurbished trains ensures customers will see immediate benefits, with enhancements in comfort, accessibility, and reliability."

Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, said the investment supports Scotland's long-term decarbonisation goals: "Millions of journeys are made on our intercity routes between our key cities each year, and we want to encourage even more people to do so. The replacement fleet will provide a range of modern passenger features, and the contract also ensures that Scottish suppliers have opportunities to contribute their expertise and services."

A brighter ride ahead

For the millions of passengers who rely on ScotRail's intercity services, this is a genuinely exciting development. Better seats, reliable charging, improved accessibility, and greener engines — arriving on Scotland's railways from late next year.

It's the kind of investment that doesn't just replace old trains. It sends a signal that Scotland's rail network is heading somewhere worth going.