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In the event of early termination of the ScotRail Franchise Agreement, a Performance Bond provision is in place designed to cover circumstances where Scottish Ministers have incurred or expect to incur additional costs in connection with early termination of the Franchise Agreement.

I have had discussions with trade unions and other key stakeholders on plans to ensure that a public sector body can bid for future Scottish rail franchises. These discussions will continue as the work progresses.

Regular meetings take place between Scottish Government officials and the Rail Delivery Group. These include four-weekly meetings to discuss regulatory issues relating to the Office of Rail and Road’s 2018 Periodic Review progress - the last of these meetings was on 10 October 2016. The Scottish Government has representation on a number of Rail Delivery Group working groups and also meets with the Rail Delivery Group executive team as appropriate. These engagements cover a broad range of regulatory, rail passenger, and rail freight related topics.

Details of the Rail Delivery Group’s Board and Members are available on the Rail Delivery Group’s website: http://www.raildeliverygroup.com

Officials are currently determining the steps required to ensure a public sector body can bid for future Scottish rail franchises. The Scottish Government will not be providing a running commentary on the progress of this work but will provide updates where appropriate.

No later than 6 months prior to the fifth anniversary of the contract (by 30 September 2019), either party (i.e. ScotRail or Scottish Ministers) can serve a formal notice stating their intention to not continue the contract beyond the 7^th anniversary of the contract (31 March 2022).

Under the terms of the Franchise Agreement, there is no period of notice stated in relation to any potential bidders for a future franchise.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04176 on 14 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Yes. Scottish Ministers are the relevant franchising authority for the rail passenger services provided under the ScotRail Franchise Agreement. If that agreement ended without a further franchise agreement having been entered into, Scottish Ministers would be under a duty to provide or secure the provision of those services. That duty, is set out in section 30 of the UK Government Railways Act 1993.

As part of our routine contingency planning, Scottish Ministers have shelf companies ready to fulfil the role of operator in the event of an Operator of Last Resort.

As the scope of any works to be carried out at Ardrossan has not yet been determined no estimate has been made by Scottish Government.

I have asked Transport Scotland to commission a STAG-style study to assess the options for the mainland port for the Arran service.

This study will look at potential work to improve Ardrossan Harbour, as well as the proposal from Associated British Ports to use an upgraded facility at Troon.

We will engage closely with all relevant stakeholders in analysing the various berthing options on the mainland as well as wider socio-economic factors. I will travel to Arran to speak to the local community and hear their views on the service. I will also meet with both local councils and representatives of the local communities in Ayrshire, as well as Peel Ports and Associated British Ports.