Rail passengers experiencing disruption on lines from Glasgow to Neilston, Newton and the Cathcart Circle will now be able to get more accurate and instant service updates.

A digital communication system, known as GSM-R, has previously been used by train drivers and signallers to communicate.

Now, however, it has been rolled out to ScotRail’s fleet of electric trains as a customer information tool.

GSM-R allows ScotRail’s signalling control centre to make customer announcements through the train’s on-board PA system.

The control centre can also pass on key messages to customers about engineering works and special events.

Anne Gray, ScotRail’s customer information strategy manager, said: “Enhancing the experience of customers is vital and the provision of accurate, real time information plays a huge part in that. The more that’s available, the better.

“The rollout of GSM-R to our electric trains means customers will now be able to get up-to-the-second information directly from the people who’re working hard to get services back to normal when things go wrong.”

The rollout on services in East Renfrewshire follows a successful six-month trial on the Glasgow North electric line.