The Dutch firm Abellio has been awarded the contract to run the ScotRail franchise from April 2015. Transport Scotland says that the new franchise is worth up to £6bn and will run for at least five years with Abellio ‘investing millions in providing an improved service and superior facilities for passengers and a better deal for staff’. Abellio will open a Glasgow base with around 200 jobs. FirstGroup has operated the First ScotRail franchise since 2004.