ScotRail introduces reduced timetable amid pay row

The publicly-owned firm was embroiled in a long-running dispute with unions in the summer of 2022.

It resulted in hundreds of services being cancelled and the rail network grinding to a halt in large parts of the country.

The rail operator said it was attempting to recruit 160 new train drivers in order to improve reliability.

But Aslef accused the Scottish government of failing to address driver shortages and pay issues.

The union’s Scottish organiser, Kevin Lindsay, said: “Rather than slashing the timetable in an act of economic vandalism that will impact towns and cities across Scotland as well as Scotland’s rail passengers, ScotRail and the Scottish government must get serious about pay and urgently get back round the negotiating table with a serious and credible offer.

“The Scottish government and ScotRail need to understand quickly that investment in our railways includes investing in its most precious resource, its workers.

“We urge them to come back to us with an offer that is serious and that treats our members with the fairness and respect they deserve.”