SCOTLAND's Transport Minister has travelled on the first electric train passenger service from Glasgow Central to Barrhead.

It comes after Fiona Hyslop MSP joined railway workers to travel on a ScotRail Class 380 in a final test of the new infrastructure ahead of the start of public passenger services on Monday, December 11.

The £63million electrification project is an investment by the Scottish Government to help decarbonise the country's railway passenger services.

Barrhead News:

Fiona Hyslop MSP said: “It’s fantastic to join industry partners today as we celebrate the first electric passenger train between Glasgow and Barrhead.

“This latest milestone in our rolling programme of electrification demonstrates this Scottish Government’s commitment to greener public transport as we work towards our low carbon economy and Net Zero goals.

“I’d also like to thank everyone involved in delivering this project and the investment it represents.”

While Alex Hynes, managing director of Scotland's Railway added: “It’s a privilege to be able to welcome the Minister to travel on the first electric passenger train from Glasgow to Barrhead. We are incredibly proud to be delivering this project on behalf of the Scottish Government.

“Electric trains are faster and greener, offering a better travelling experience and they’re more reliable too. They encourage people to switch from road to rail and help us build on the railway’s reputation as one of the greenest forms of public transport.

“We look forward to welcoming the communities along the Barrhead line onto our electric network and will continue to further expand our decarbonisation of Scotland’s Railway in the years ahead.”