ScotRail has announced that its full timetable will be restored on Monday after months of reduced services.
A temporary timetable was introduced on July 10 as a result of train drivers refusing to work overtime amid a pay dispute. This led to fewer trains running with ScotRail cutting 600 services while the dispute rumbled on.
Train drivers were initially offered a two per cent pay rise backdated to April 1 with a further one per cent increase from January 1 but that was branded “derisory” by Kevin Lindsay, Scotland organiser for Aslef at the time.
However, with an improved offer submitted and a pay deal now agreed, ScotRail can restore its full operation.
In total, 75 per cent of Aslef members voted for the new deal which will provide staff with a 4.5 per cent rise backdated to April.
ScotRail is attempting to ensure such cuts to services aren’t required in the future by recruiting 160 new drivers every year to reduce its reliance on overtime working.
Mark Ilderton, ScotRail service delivery director, said: “We are delighted to confirm that our full timetable will return on Monday.
“We have been working round the clock to deliver this in a very short space of time because we know how important a full service is to our customers.
“It’s been a difficult few months for our customers and staff, and we thank everybody for their patience.
“With a pay deal agreed and the full timetable back in place, everyone at ScotRail is focused on delivering a safe, reliable, and green service for our customers.”
The good news regarding services returning to normal came after peak fares were reintroduced on the ScotRail network. A pilot scheme which saw them scrapped for a year ended on Friday.
West Scotland Greens MSP Ross Greer said the reintroduction of peak rail fares will cost workers and families in Renfrewshire a fortune.
He said: “Ending peak fares was long campaigned for by rail unions so I was proud when the Scottish Greens delivered it last year.
“I know many local commuters will be angry to see the SNP bring them back like this – especially when other savings options were available.
“Transport is the biggest source of carbon emissions in Scotland. There is no way for us to tackle the climate emergency without improving public transport and reducing the numbers of cars on our roads. Bringing back peak fares will only take us backwards.
”Changing the way we travel doesn’t happen overnight and by permanently making rail travel cheaper, we could have encouraged more people onto the trains.”
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