Temporary train timetable to be introduced as drivers’ dispute with bosses continue
Rail chiefs are set to introduce a temporary timetable as a wrangle with train drivers’leaders heats up.
ScotRail will unveil the revised plan from Monday amid ongoing action by members of union ASLEF.
They say a ban on overtime and rest day working by train drivers in the wake of a move by ASLEF to ballot workers for industrial action over pay, has had an“ongoing impact”.
It is thought that a“significant” number of workers are included in the action.
Bosses say the rail operator recently taken under the control of the Scottish Government - has made the move in a bid to provide more certainty for commuters, saying the current level of cancellations is“not sustainable for customers and colleagues”.
David Simpson, ScotRail service delivery director, said:“We are very sorry to customers for the disruption of recent days.
“We know what customers want more than anything is certainty and reliability, which is why we are introducing a temporary timetable.
“We want to resolve this dispute with the trade unions and move forward together to provide the safest, greenest, and most reliable railway we can for Scotland.
“We remain open to further talks with the trade unions.”
Routes taking in Paisley, Johnstone and Barrhead will see changes.
Mr Simpson added:“We’re asking customers to check their journey on our website, mobile app, and through our social media channels as train times will have changed.”
The 2022/23 pay package offered a 2.2 per cent increase in pay, in line with an October 2021 agreement reached with other grades.
Rail bosses say a top-up revenue sharing agreement that could potentially deliver up to an extra £195 for all staff per period is also on the table and would apply where revenue targets are exceeded.
They say they“remain open”to further talks to“engage in a meaningful conversation”, with union leaders from ASLEF and the RMT.
The network relies on drivers working overtime or on rest days.
In 2019, ScotRail committed to employing more drivers to phase out the reliance on the practices but say driver training was “significantly delayed”due to the pandemic.
Rail chiefs say they are still awaiting formal notification from ASLEF and the RMT on the details of the ballots.
Bosses say they are “disappointed”that talks have reached a stalemate despite what they say is“a very good offer”, being on the table.
ScotRail is currently working on temporary timetables for Saturdays, which will be broadly similar to the Monday to Friday timetable, as well as timetables for Sundays, and will update customers in the coming days.
The temporary timetable for Monday - Friday can be viewed online at scotrail.co.uk/ timetable-update