A new passenger information system is being tested on 38 ScotRail trains in the Glasgow area.

Dubbed the On Train Passenger Announcements system, it has been developed by Network Rail, train operators and the Rail Delivery Group.

From today, staff in the control centre are able to send announcements directly to trains, using GSM-R, which is mainly used for drivers’ cab radio. An announcement can be sent to one or more trains, and it means that drivers do not have to make additional announcements when there is disruption.

The system’s messages are sent as text, and then automatically broadcast as speech.

After the initial trial, Network Rail is planning to introduce it elsewhere, after a period of monitoring to see how effective it is.

ScotRail’s customer operations director Phil Campbell said: ‘We know the importance to customers of how we manage disruption and provide clear, timely, and accurate information during delays.

‘The new onboard announcements system will make a huge difference to how we communicate to provide a quick and effective way of updating customers when something has happened which is disrupting their journey.’

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