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ScotRail announces reintroduction of timetable across the Highlands with 700 services coming back across Scotland


By Alan Shields

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ScotRail has announced that up t 700 services are to be restored.
ScotRail has announced that up t 700 services are to be restored.

ScotRail has announced that it will reintroduce its timetable back to May 2022 levels from next Wednesday.

The move comes after after members of the drivers’ union ASLEF voted to accept an improved pay offer ending a dispute.

It brings an end to the temporary timetable that has been in place since May 23 and means almost 700 services per day will be added for customers across Scotland.

The temporary timetable had been introduced due to the impact of a significant number of drivers declining to make themselves available for overtime or rest day working.

The stance caused widespread disruption across the Highlands due to a heavily reduced number of services.

Like many train operators across the UK, ScotRail said it relied on drivers working overtime or on their rest days.

In 2019, ScotRail committed to employing more drivers to phase out the reliance on this practice, however, the pandemic meant that driver training was significantly delayed.

The firm should have had around 130 extra qualified drivers by now.

Meanwhile customers can check on which services are running on the ScotRail website at ScotRail | Timetables, or through the ScotRail app.

These systems will be updated in the coming days.

David Simpson, ScotRail service delivery director, said: “We are delighted to be able to reintroduce the timetable, adding almost 700 services each day, and delivering the service that our customers expect and deserve.

“It has been a very challenging few months, impacting those across the country who rely on rail travel and on our staff too.

“It is a big step forward to reach such a positive resolution and continue in our efforts to provide the safest, greenest, and most reliable railway we can.

"We thank customers for their patience through this period.”


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