ScotRail’s delivery director has described the impact of Network Rail strikes as “frustrating”.
For the past two months, passengers have been dealing with a severely reduced timetable due to a dispute with train drivers over pay.
Despite ScotRail striking a deal with the drivers’ union Aslef and services returning to normal, further disruption is on the way due to UK-wide action.
Only a fraction of ScotRail trains will run on Wednesday, as staff, including signallers, walk out during the first of three planned strike days.
The strike action by the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers union (RMT) will “severely limit” the number of services operating for passengers and freight across Scotland.
“It is very unfortunate to see such widespread disruption across the whole of the Great Britain rail network and we know this will be frustrating for ScotRail customers,” David Simpson, ScotRail’s service delivery director said.
“Customers should expect significant disruption to services on strike days, as well as the following day.”
Just five routes in the central belt will continue to operate between 7.30am and 6.30pm, Scotland’s national train operator has said, while workers are set to picket stations.
Strike action will also see disruption the evening before on Tuesday and the morning after on Thursday, due to the closing and reopening of signal boxes at different times across the country.
Network Rail Scotland signallers and maintenance staff, who are in safety-critical roles, will take industrial action on July 27, and August 18 and 20.
The only routes that will run on Wednesday are:
- Edinburgh – Glasgow via Falkirk High: two trains per hour
- Edinburgh – Bathgate: two trains per hour
- Glasgow – Hamilton/Larkhall: two trains per hour
- Glasgow – Lanark: two trains per hour
- Edinburgh – Glasgow via Shotts: one train per hour
“Unfortunately, Network Rail will