ScotRail reintroduces timetable from Wednesday the 20th of July

The reintroduction of the timetable will bring the temporary timetable to an end, which has been in operation since the 23rd of May and will see almost 700 services added each day for customers.

The temporary timetable was introduced following a substantial number of drivers declining to make themselves available for overtime or rest day working as they are entitled to whilst the pay dispute was ongoing.

Similar to other train operators throughout Britain, ScotRail is reliant on drivers working overtime or on their rest days. During 2019, ScotRail agreed to employ more drivers in order to gradually eliminate the need for this practice, but despite these attempts, the pandemic meant that driver training was markedly delayed. ScotRail would have had approximately 130 extra qualified drivers by now if it wasn't for the pandemic and that would have seen a huge reduction in the need for drivers to work overtime and rest days.

Progress has been made in pay negotiations, with the union now putting the pay offer to members recommending that they accept. This recommendation did lead members to vote to accept the offer and ScotRail was informed of the outcome on Monday the 11th of July.

Work is now underway to enable the full reintroduction of the timetable with train planning staff working extremely hard to implement the changes need to bring back almost 700 services, this also includes the scheduling of train movements, rosters for general grade staff and schedules for drivers being changed. The rail operator has also announced that part of the reintroduction will also see the management of increased Covid-related absences after a recent increase in infections throughout the country.

Up and coming events scheduled across the country, including the extremely popular Edinburgh Festival, will welcome this news which marks a positive step forward and a huge boost for customers.

Customers will be able to check on which services are running via the ScotRail website or using the ScotRail app, which will be updated over 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.”