Rail services disrupted amid 'challenging weekend'

ScotRail said possible replacement bus services are being arranged for cancelled routes

ScotRail has warned passengers to expect disruption and "very busy" journeys on Sunday with some services cancelled due to a lack of drivers.

The rail operator said a "particularly challenging" weekend in the lead up to Christmas has resulted in less drivers being available for rest-day working.

There is currently major disruption between Glasgow and Edinburgh, which are expected to be busy with shoppers and visitors to Christmas markets.

Football fans will also be heading to Hampden Park in Glasgow for the Scottish League Cup final between Celtic and Rangers at 15:30.

Services to Mount Florida station - the rail stop for Hampden Park - have been impacted by the cancelllations with bus replacement services offered at around 13:30 on some journeys.

More widely, ScotRail said "possible replacement buses" for other cancelled services are being arranged and there will be ticket acceptance in place where possible.

ScotRail service delivery director, Mark Ilderton, said: "We are sorry to customers for the cancellations to services today, which have been necessary due to a shortage of available drivers.

"We know how inconvenient this is to people travelling, and we are doing everything we can to make sure they can complete their journey."

Passengers can check for updates on the ScotRail app or website or through the Network Rail live departures website.

ScotRail has previously said it wanted to reduce its reliance on drivers working on their rest days by 2027.

The operator said they are currently recruiting 160 drivers each year, the most of any UK operator.

BBC Scotland News previously reported record numbers of drivers are leaving for other jobs or retirement with 81 new drivers passing the firm's training scheme in 2023/24 while 75 existing drivers left.

A ScotRail instructor told BBC News earlier this month that despite the amount of new drivers, the number of staff leaving means it will be 18 months before driver numbers start to increase to the level required for rest day working.

Trade union ASLEF Scotland said they have been asking ScotRail "for years" for Sunday to be considered part of the working week for drivers.

Posting on X, they said: "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.

"As part of the 2022 pay agreement ScotRail are to introduce Sundays to be part of the working week by Dec 2027. There has little to no progress on this.

"As such passengers suffer with more cancelled trains. Our negotiators are ready to meet with ScotRail at anytime on this."