Commuters have blasted ScotRail’s “outrageous” new timetable amid fears cuts will harm the economy and leave football fans stranded.
The Scottish Government-owned rail company announced a stripped back new timetable this week as tensions escalated between rail bosses and drivers unions ASLEF.
Train travellers are angry at a “brutal” series of evening service cuts. Reduced services will see the last train between many Scottish cities leave at around 8pm or even earlier.
There is huge concern around the effect on the Tartan Army heading to the Scotland World Cup play-off semi-final against Ukraine on Wednesday June 1.
The final trains of the day to Perth, Dundee and Aberdeen all depart Glasgow before the match even kicks off at 7.45pm.
Scotland fans can’t get on supporters coaches
Katrina Walker, 57, is a member of the Tartan Army from Auchtermuchty in Fife. She organises a supporters bus to travel to Scotland games.
“The whole thing is just outrageous. Everybody’s talking about it.”
She has been turning away fans trying to get a space on her fully-booked bus.
“A lot of fans from this part of the world will go to Perth and travel on the train from there to Glasgow. So there’s going to be a big effect there.”
The cut back service will also have a personal effect.
“We use the train all the time to go through to Edinburgh. Whether that’s for the theatre or to go out for dinner.”
She called on ScotRail to stop blaming the train drivers for the escalation of the dispute.
ScotRail has said the new timetable is required due to drivers now refusing to work on their rest days.
“Pay them more or look again at their contracts. They need to sort it out,” she said.
ScotRail new timetable hurting nighttime economy
Labour Fife MSP Alex Rowley said the cuts amounted to an “unacceptable removal of services from the people of Fife”.
He said slashing services will affect Fifers in many different ways.
“That includes creating difficulty for workers commuting to and from the nation’s capital. Or something as simple as enjoying a night out.”
Mid Scotland Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser said the cuts will hit the night-time economy in the region.
“These brutal cuts to rail services will have a massive impact on many of my constituents along with the night-time economy.
“I’ve already been contacted by irate constituents. That includes one who had enjoyed visiting friends in the capital and going to the theatre or having a meal at a restaurant.
“They will now be faced with the farcical situation of curtailing their night out.”
A ScotRail spokesman said the company would be issuing travel advice for the upcoming Scotland internationals in the lead up to the games.
ScotRail ‘share’ frustration over new timetable
David Simpson is service delivery director at the company.
He apologised again to customers and said he “shares” their frustration.
“In order to provide a robust timetable with the limited number of available train drivers, we’ve had to make some very difficult decisions.
“This has meant we’ve been unable to provide a full day’s service across every route.
“We will review the service levels and make any improvements we can as quickly as possible.”
ScotRail cuts: 7 of the hardest hit journeys in Tayside and Fife
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