CONFUSED commuters in Inverclyde were hit with 'chaotic' ScotRail planning yesterday after an emergency timetable brought in ahead of potential industrial action by train drivers was not available on the nationalised operator's app and website for more than 12 hours.
Rush-hour customers - who had been promised full updated scheduling information by 10pm on Tuesday, and then by 3am yesterday - had to wait until lunchtime yesterday before the situation was rectified.
One local commuter branded the matter 'utter chaos'.
The frequent rail user added: “Nobody knows if and when trains are coming until they are physically at a station, so it’s caused a lot of confusion.
“It’s not ideal when you’re trying to get to and from work. Hopefully they can sort it all out quickly.”
Another commuter said: "When things like this happen, it's little wonder that people refer to them as Scot Fail."
ScotRail announced earlier this week that a reduced service would be introduced across the rail network from yesterday due to fewer drivers than normal being available for overtime and rest day working.
The move comes as drivers’ union ASLEF recommends to its executive committee a ballot for industrial action over pay.
There has been disruption across Inverclyde and Scotland since Sunday, with ScotRail bringing in the reduced timetable to provide a ‘reliable service’ and avoid customers facing late cancellations.
(Image: Newsquest)
The operator initially said its Journey Planner would be fully updated by 10pm on Tuesday, but later indicated that this had been pushed back to 3am on Wednesday due to the volume of changes being made.
In a social media post the following morning, ScotRail said: “Unfortunately due to a National Rail issue our app and website does not reflect our new temporary timetable.
“We are very sorry to those who were waiting to check their services this morning.
“As soon as we have more information, we will provide an update.”
Our temporary timetable starts today.
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) July 10, 2024
Our app and Journey Planners are now correctly showing service information for Monday - Friday. Weekend travel will be updated no later than tomorrow.
For a summary of the changes in place for each route, click here: https://t.co/ds6hYksbsL pic.twitter.com/cpECnqwit5
An update issued after shortly 12pm yesterday said the app and website was now reflecting the new timetable for Monday to Friday services.
ScotRail added that weekend travel details would be updated by the end of today.
Inverclyde's MSP Stuart McMillan is encouraging both the rail operator and Aslef to have 'constructive' negotiations to resolve the dispute.
Mr McMillan told the Tele: “As soon as I received notification from ScotRail yesterday they were having to move to a temporary timetable due to ongoing pay negations with drivers’ trade union ASLEF, I contacted them to ask how long they expect this to last.
“I’m not surprised that they said they can’t put a timescale on these negotiations and therefore the length of time this temporary timetable may be required, but it’s nonetheless extremely disappointing given Inverclyde just saw a new timetable introduced last month.
“I welcome the news that ScotRail are currently training 160 new drivers and accept this takes time to complete.
“However, it’s frustrating that the Wemyss Bay line will return to one service per hour after benefitting from a huge increase in services, including moving to two trains per hour, as per the new timetable.
(Image: George Munro)
“I'm therefore calling on both sides to approach these negotiations constructively and with realistic expectations.
“All public sector workers rightly want a pay to rise each year, but this is against a backdrop of an ever diminishing Scottish budget.”
Under the temporary timetable, Inverclyde's morning peak, core daytime and evening peak services will consist of two trains per hour Gourock and Glasgow and one train per hour serving Wemyss Bay.
Evening services will see one train run between Gourock and Glasgow per hour, stopping at all stations, with one Wemyss Bay train per hour stopping at limited stations.
The Telegraph has contacted ScotRail for comment.
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