Rail boost: The new Airdrie - Bathgate line will mean new jobs Pic: © STV
A new rail line that links Glasgow to Edinburgh through Airdrie is to create 130 jobs.
ScotRail said the jobs were a direct result of the new route that is due to open in December 2010 and the rail operators is looking to recruit workers. The jobs available include train drivers, station staff and ticket examiners.
More than half the jobs will be based in Bathgate, with 74 of the staff to be located in the West Lothian town. The remaining 56 people will be recruited across the new route.
ScotRail managing director Steve Montgomery said: "The new line is great news - creating jobs and travel opportunities. It also demonstrates the commitment and strength of industry partnerships in achieving significant improvements to the railway in Scotland. I am confident it will be a great success."
The route, which includes three new stations, has been funded by the Scottish Government at a cost of more than £300m.
Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said increasing numbers of people were using the train but added: "If we want that to continue, and if we want to encourage more people to use public transport, then the delivery of projects like Airdrie-Bathgate is crucial."
He added: "We can already see rewards for our economy through these jobs which will not only bring benefits to those gaining new employment. The services they will deliver mean tens of thousands of passengers across Scotland will have access to a high level of services on a new fleet of environmentally-friendly trains."
Ron McAulay, Network Rail director for Scotland, said: "As we near completion of the new line, it is immensely satisfying to see our hard work now contributing to tangible benefits for communities along the route.
"These jobs are likely to be the first of many to be created as a direct or indirect result of the Airdrie-Bathgate rail link."
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