Services


were
disrupted
on
several
lines
in
Strathclyde
yesterday
and
four
stations
were
closed.

ScotRail
said
the
problems
were
caused
by
a
shortage
of
drivers
willing
to
work
overtime.

The
operator
conceded
that
it
was
their
‘contractual
right’
not
to
volunteer
for
extra
duty,
but
it
was
forced
to
amend
the
timetables
on
lines
from
Helensburgh
Central,
Lanark,
Balloch
and
Milngavie,
while
no
trains
called
at
Airbles,
Barnhill,
Alexandra
Parade
or
Duke
Street.
Other
services
were
also
affected,
with
approximately
25
per
cent
of
trains
cancelled.

Two
days
earlier
ASLEF
had
warned
ScotRail,
which
is
owned
by
the
Scottish
Government,
that
it
would
recommend
a
ballot
of
its
members
to
its
Executive
Committee
because
of
a
pay
dispute.

ScotRail
service
delivery
director
Mark
Ilderton
said:
‘We’re
sorry
for
the
inconvenience
caused
to
our
customers.
We
know
how
frustrating
it
is
when
cancellations
occur.

‘We
hope
that
these
service
alterations
will
give
customers
some
certainty
and
reliability
when
planning
their
journeys.
Customers
should
check
their
journey
on
our
website
and
mobile
app
before
they
travel
and
should
also
bear
in
mind
that
services
will
be
busier
than
usual.

‘We
want
to
resolve
the
pay
dispute
matter
with
trade
unions
and
will
remain
fully
committed
to
further
discussions.’