ScotRail trains cancelled due to driver shortages on ‘challenging’ weekend
Some ScotRail services have been cancelled due to a lack of drivers amid “particularly challenging” conditions on Sunday.
The rail operator said that more drivers than normal are unavailable for rest day working on December 15 which is having an impact on services.
It comes on a busy weekend for the network, with people travelling to city centres for Christmas shopping.
Publicly owned ScotRail said it is currently recruiting drivers to address the problem of shortages.
In a post on X it said: “Unfortunately, due to the availability of drivers on Sunday, there are a number of cancellations to services.
“This is a particularly challenging weekend, and with the Christmas period fast approaching, more drivers than normal are unavailable for rest day working.”
It added: “We’re currently recruiting 160 drivers each year, the most of any UK operator, which will help to reduce the type of challenges we’re currently facing.”
ScotRail advised people to check their journey on the ScotRail app before heading out to find the latest service information.
Mark Ilderton, ScotRail service delivery director, said: “We are sorry to customers for the cancellations to services today, which have been necessary due to a shortage of available drivers.
“Replacement bus services and ticket acceptance with other public transport operators has been arranged wherever possible.
“We know how inconvenient this is to people travelling, and we are doing everything we can to make sure they can complete their journey.”
Train drivers’ union Aslef said it has long asked for Sunday to be considered part of the working week.
Posting on X it said: “For years we’ve been asking for Sunday to be part of the working week but the operators have relied on overtime to run the service on a Sunday.
“Train drivers are contracted to 35 hours per week but all work over 40 per week on average over a year.”
It added: “As part of the 2022 pay agreement, ScotRail are to introduce Sundays to be part of the working week by December 2027.”
Aslef claimed there has been “little to no progress on this”, adding that its negotiators are ready to meet ScotRail at any time.
A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “While we recognise any employee’s right to not work overtime, these cancellations are disappointing at a time when we are trying to encourage passengers to use the train for their festive commutes, shopping and socialising.
“ScotRail driver recruitment is at an all-time high, and ministers have been given assurances everything possible is being done to eradicate the historic reliance on overtime.”
ScotRail has been approached for further comment.