Travellers hit by new mayhem in ScotRail timetable shake-up

‘Don’t forget ticket prices are going up’

PASSENGERS face more ScotRail confusion today after the launch of a new timetable yesterday was blighted by disruption and axed services.

A raft of changes promises ‘faster journeys, more seats, and more services’ after a period of turmoil that has seen performance plummet to the lowest level in more than a decade.

But yesterday many passengers complained on social media about the loss of some direct routes, while the first day of the changes was marred by reports of overcrowding, cancellations and faults.

The problems fuelled concern that the new timetable will cause more chaos for rush-hour commuters and other rail passengers following weeks of disruption.

Scottish Tory transport spokesman Jamie Greene said: ‘There has been confusing messaging from ScotRail, lack of customer awareness of service changes, disruption due to staff shortages – and don’t forget ticket prices are going up.

‘Transport Secretary Michael Matheson usually blames everyone else. This time I’m afraid he has nowhere to hide.’

Yesterday one passenger posted at 7.30am that there had been 12 cancellations already ‘due to shortage of crew’.

Asked about cancellations, ScotRail said there were a ‘few services’ yesterday morning via Glasgow Queen Street low-level station which were not calling at Charing Cross as the station was closed.

A spokesman said: ‘On our customer-facing systems these appeared incorrectly as full cancellations due to shortage of crew, but that has now been resolved.’

The new timetable brings a number of changes for customers travelling from stations between Edinburgh and Dunblane.

During the day, services will no longer call at Polmont and Linlithgow. Passengers travelling from Dunblane, Bridge of Alan, Stirling or Larbert to Polmont or Linlithgow may now need to change at Falkirk Grahamston. James Grigor tweeted: ‘Loss of direct Stirling/Larbert to Polmont/ Linlithgow service, awesome #ChangeItBack.’

ScotRail claims more seats will be available on the route following the introduction of Glasgow to Edinburgh via Falkirk Grahamston services.

New electric trains, which took over the Glasgow to Edinburgh route yesterday, have been delivered late by Hitachi.

Staff have been receiving training on the replacement electric trains.

Liam McMonagle tweeted about the ‘sardine can from Edinburgh to Leuchars’. ScotRail replied: ‘Appreciate it’s frustrating when services are busy, it’s why we’re bringing longer trains in.’

Alex Hynes, ScotRail Alliance managing director, said: ‘The investment ScotRail and Network Rail is making to electrify more lines and introduce new and upgraded trains means we will deliver faster journeys, more seats, and more services.’