Scotrail: temporary timetable 2022, how to check journey, and why is there a dispute over train driver salary?

ScotRail announced major changes to timetables from Glasgow due to strike action.
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ScotRail’s latest timetable has been released, with many unhappy at the cancellation of late trains.

The changes are temporary, but will be brought into action on 23 May due to a driver shortage.

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The shortage comes after a pay dispute between ScotRail and the Aslef union.

Strikes are due to halt 90 per cent of ScotRail trains and many cross-Border operators' services on June 21, 23 and 25. Picture: John DevlinStrikes are due to halt 90 per cent of ScotRail trains and many cross-Border operators' services on June 21, 23 and 25. Picture: John Devlin
Strikes are due to halt 90 per cent of ScotRail trains and many cross-Border operators' services on June 21, 23 and 25. Picture: John Devlin

Last month ScotRail was nationalised by the Scottish government.

The change came after Abellio had its franchise ended early due to severe criticism of the quality of the Scotrail service.

Will Scotrail timetables change?

Yes. There have been major changes to most locations departing from Glasgow. The changes will be implemented on weekday services (Monday to Fridays) from 23 May.

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Most stations will see the last train leave many routes before 8pm.

This comes as a major blow to people across Scotland as the last train home is a popular choice among those attending events throughout Glasgow like a gig at the OVO Hydro.

The timetable usually runs approximately 2,150 weekday services. However, starting next week this will be reduced by a third to 1,456 services.

Trains have been frequently cancelled since 8 May when many drivers opted to not work overtime.

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There is hope that the issues will be resolved quickly however, Nicola Sturgeon has said the timetable will get back to normal "as quickly as possible".

Sturgeon addressed the issue during first minister questions at Holyrood where she said it was vital to get rail services back to normal as quickly as possible.

She confirmed the timetable would be formally reviewed on 3 June.

When are the last trains from Glasgow?

These times are subject to change, and may differ on the day of travel you choose. You can stay up to date with all the latest train time changes and cancellations via the ScotRail website or on Trainline.

ScotRail announced major changes to timetables from Glasgow due to strike action.ScotRail announced major changes to timetables from Glasgow due to strike action.
ScotRail announced major changes to timetables from Glasgow due to strike action.

Glasgow - Edinburgh

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The last train from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh is 10:15pm.

Glasgow - Falkirk High

The last train to leave Glasgow Queen Street for Falkirk on a weekday is 10:15pm. The train before that is 8:15pm.

Glasgow - Aberdeen

The last train from Glasgow to Aberdeen will now depart at 6.41pm, instead of 9.40pm.

What is the Scotrail strike about?

The strike is due to a pay dispute between Aslef and Scotrail.

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The drivers union Aslef had balloted members for strike action after they rejected a 2.2% pay offer.

Scotrail addressed the disruption on their website:

“We’ve been relying on drivers working overtime or on their rest days to run a normal timetable, as the pandemic meant that training new drivers was significantly delayed.”

“Without COVID and that impact on training, we would have trained around an extra 130 drivers today.”

“Following an announcement by the drivers’ union ASLEF that it will ballot for industrial action over pay, a significant number of drivers have been declining to make themselves available for overtime or rest day working.”

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“This has resulted in the recent disruption and our need to introduce a temporary timetable going forward.”

When asked about the dispute Sturgeon confirmed that normal services could not resume until an agreement between Aslef and Scotrail on fair pay would need to be reached with rail workers before the timetable could be returned to normal.

"I expect ScotRail to make sure that this temporary timetable is just that - temporary - and the timetable gets back to normal as quickly as possible," she added.

She went on to say: "I would say to the unions that I understand their job is to represent their members and to get a fair pay deal for members, but let’s see both parties get round the table and negotiate that in good faith - I think that’s what the travelling public want to see as well."

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