THE first electric trains between Glasgow and Paisley Canal have entered service after five miles of the route was electrified for less than half the original budget.

Network Rail completed the £12 million upgrade in just four months after reaching agreement with train operator ScotRail that it would waive the normal compensation payments for engineering disruptions.

The infrastructure company also secured agreement by Britain's rail regulator not to raise the height of several bridges to allow freight trains to use the route.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "Passengers will see the benefits of this scheme with better reliability and more seats."