ScotRail plans to cut hundreds of trains from its services following the coronavirus pandemic – as passenger numbers plummet by 80%.

The train operator will reduce services from next month, mainly at peak hours which are said to have seen the biggest fall in travellers with more people working from home.

The move will see 272 trains a day slashed from services, according to the Scotsman.

Currently ScotRail are operating at more than 90%, but the cut to services will see this drop to 81%.

But bosses said extra carriages will be added where there is overcrowding to ensure social distancing, despite passenger numbers remaining down by 80%.

Peak hour commuting has sharply reduced as people work from home or on flexible hours, with Saturdays now the operator’s busiest day of the week.

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The Scottish Government has also asked people to minimise or avoid travel between different parts of Scotland, depending on which Covid level areas they are in.

ScotRail confirmed there would be no change to staffing levels and said the planned changes had not been finalised and were subject to change.

East coast operator LNER is to cut nine services from next week and Caledonian Sleeper will halt Aberdeen and Fort William services from today until December 6.

ScotRail operations director David Simpson said: “Throughout the pandemic, everyone across Scotland’s Railway [ScotRail and Network Rail] has worked tirelessly to deliver a robust and reliable timetable, with services across the country keeping key workers moving.

“We are currently in the process of looking at a revised timetable that allows us to continue delivering that reliable and vital rail service, but better reflects the reduced demand and changing nature of travel in Scotland and the need to ensure value for taxpayer money.

“The changes have still to be finalised and we will let customers know when that has happened.

"Our targeted approach will deliver more than enough seats to allow customers to travel safely.”

The Scottish Government’s Transport Scotland agency, which controls the franchise, said ScotRail had been assessing its patronage to match services against demand.

A spokesman for LNER said: “We have made some temporary changes to our timetable with effect from Monday November 16, which impact nine cross-border services.

“This is due to reductions in customer demand and to manage any staff shortages resulting from increased levels of self-isolation and clinically extremely vulnerable colleagues not being at work, in accordance with the latest restrictions.”

Caledonian Sleeper guest experience director Graham Kelly said: “We will continue to run a core service to support those guests who have essential travel requirements, while taking into account the welfare of guests, staff and industry partners.

"We look forward to welcoming our guests back on board in due course.”