As of Friday, Scotland's national train operating company ScotRail will no longer be privately owned and will instead will enter public ownership.
The rail service has been owned by Dutch public transport company Abellio since April of 2015, but it was announced in December of 2019 that the franchise would end as a result of poor performance.
Abellio faced criticism over cancellations and services which factored into the decision not to renew their contract.
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A new company called ScotRail Trains Limited will run services from April 1, overseen by Scottish Rail Holdings Ltd, a new public body controlled by the Scottish Government.
The decision was met with a positive response from trade unions such as the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF), the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA), and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT).
Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth stated that the nationalisation of the service would allow it to be more "affordable, sustainable and customer-focused".
Additionally, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon described the move to public ownership as a "historic moment" and a "significant milestone".
She added that the move provided "an opportunity to modernise" and would result in "passenger services which are efficient, sustainable, safe, fit for the future".
What will change for ScotRail passengers after it becomes nationalised?
For passengers, nothing will immediately change when ownership of the rail service changes hands on April 1.
In an email sent to customers in March, ScotRail stated: "There are no immediate changes and there is nothing you need to do.
"We will continue to run train services across the ScotRail network using the same employees, and we will continue to process your personal data for the same purposes."
The branding for ScotRail will remain nearly identical, other than the fact that all Abellio will be removed.
Customers who previously purchased tickets will not need to make any changes, as they will remain valid for the dates shown — all season tickets will also remain valid.
There is also no plans to make any changes to the timetables, according to ScotRail.
What will change for ScotRail staff after it becomes nationalised?
All staff will be moved over to the new Scottish Government-owned ScotRail Trains Limited.
Nicola Sturgeon stated: “Over the spring we will launch a national conversation offering rail staff, passengers and communities an opportunity to contribute to the future vision for Scotland’s railway and help shape this new beginning for ScotRail.”
A day of action will be held by the RMT outside Glasgow Queen Street station on Friday, who will be calling for "a properly funded rail operator that delivers for passengers, communities and workers".
