Peak-time ticket prices pegged to inflation and improvements to wi-fi access will also be required as part of the contract, the Scottish Government's Transport Scotland agency said.
The new franchise - which is the single biggest contract awarded by the Government - is due to begin in 2015, lasting for up to 10 years.
Transport minister Keith Brown has revealed the details of the franchise, setting out the requirements which must be met by the winning bidder.
These include faster services to connect Scotland's cities, including new trains to deliver 42-minute services between Edinburgh and Glasgow, and accelerated services to Stirling, Perth, Dundee, Inverness and Aberdeen.
Trains will be improved with wifi and more comfortable carriages for longer journeys while "scenic" trains will be used to promote tourist routes, featuring locally-sourced catering and panoramic views.
Other measures in the new franchise include more cycle space, provisions for disabled passengers to travel with the minimum of advance notice and SMARTcard tickets across the network.
Smartcards store and read tickets electronically, similar to the Oyster Card system used in London.
Mr Brown said: "Improving the passenger experience has been at the heart of our considerations for the next franchise and the specification I have set out is focused on innovation, connectivity, value and benefit for communities throughout Scotland.
"Unlike previous Department for Transport-led procurements which have focused on price, the ScotRail franchise competition includes a heavy emphasis on quality. Bidders for this franchise must commit to ambitious improvements if they want to win.
via WiFiNovation | Scoop.it
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