The ScotRail train franchise will be nationalised from 2022, the Scottish Government has announced. Train services will be run by the Government as an “operator of last resort” when the current contract with Abellio ends next March. The Transport Secretary, Michael Matheson, told the Scottish Parliament he had ruled out extending the existing contract with the Dutch rail operator because “the current franchising system is no longer fit for purpose”. Instead, Mr Matheson said ScotRail services will be provided by an “arm’s length company” that will be owned and controlled by the Scottish Government. “With the current ScotRail franchise expected to end in March 2022, we need to take decisions about successor arrangements within the current legislative framework,” Mr Matheson said.