SCOTRAIL’S temporary timetable – which launched on Monday to alleviate uncertainty over services – has done little to stop disruption for commuters.

The train operator, which was nationalised in April, has introduced the reduced timetable amid a pay dispute with train drivers’ union Aslef.

The move has seen some last trains departing before 8pm and 700 fewer services per day.

Glasgow Times:

For some passengers, the new timetable has ramifications for work.

Chris Barrs, a hospitality worker from Dalmuir, commutes via the Alloa train to Stenhousemuir.

He told the Glasgow Times: “Now I need to leave half an hour early from work to get the train home. Fortunately, I’m on a salary, but if I drop under 46 hours then I could lose money.”

Another passenger, Rael Mason, commutes from East Kilbride for his insurance job in the city.

“I don’t know how it will affect me yet, but when I switch to late shifts and finish at 8pm, I might have an issue getting back to East Kilbride,” he said.

Glasgow Times:

Reduced trains mean mobbed carriages at peak times, something we’ve been told to avoid for the past two years.

“It’s went from six trains to two trains available to get to Glasgow for seven in the morning, and the trains are ram-packed,” said Jill Ross, who works in telecommunications and commutes from Airdrie to St Vincent Street for work.

She said this made her a bit nervous due to Covid and has considered taking her car instead.

She added: “I can’t afford to get sick again and take time off.”

Glasgow Times:

The social implications of ScotRail’s new timetable also came under fire. Many people now feel they can’t socialise with colleagues after work or come into Glasgow from surrounding areas at the weekend.

One passenger described it as “awful” that some people “can’t go out for a meal in the evening because of how it’s affected the evening trains”.

Andrew Clark, from Lanark, works in hospitality in Glasgow and said that while his commute to work wasn’t affected, it was no longer possible to enjoy an evening drink post-shift.

He said: “In the evening it’s early drinks or stay over. The once or twice a month work drinks aren’t an option anymore because I can’t get the train. I would have to drive to stay out.”

Scotrail Service Director David Simpson said: "We’re keen to resolve the dispute as soon as possible and the timetable will operate for as long as it needs to in order to provide a more dependable service.

"The timetable will be reviewed, and any improvements or returns to normal will be communicated through the ScotRail website, mobile app, and social media."