Four weeks of rail strikes and Christmas travel disruption ahead as RMT members continue industrial action

Passengers travelling by rail are set to be hit by significant disruption later this week which will continue throughout the festive period as RMT union members walk out in a dispute over pay and conditions.

Rail services in Scotland are set to be hit by strike action from Tuesday as RMT members walk out in two 48-hour strikes on December 13 and 14, and December 16 and 17 – some of the busiest days before Christmas.

Network Rail RMT members are currently voting on a pay offer, due to close on December 12, however, even if strike action is called off after that vote, it would take the rail industry at least 48 hours to restore a normal service.

Network Rail said plans are being put in place to keep customers moving and a similar level of service to previous strikes will be delivered.

ScotRail said that a limited number of services will operate on a reduced number of routes this week, but as many of the Network Rail staff that are due to take part in the planned industrial action occupy safety-critical roles, it will not be possible for ScotRail to run the vast majority of services. 

On December 15, the same limited service will remain in place due to the complexity of restarting a full service with just a few hours between strikes.

The RMT union has also announced plans for strike action between December 24 and 27, and January 3 and 4, and January 6 and 7 which will disrupt services.

Passengers have been urged to check their journeys before travelling.

ScotRail announced that its reduced timetable which will be in operation from around 7.30am until 6.30pm on the affected dates this week – are:

Edinburgh Waverley – Glasgow Queen Street via Falkirk High: two trains per hour   
Edinburgh Waverley – Helensburgh Central: two trains per hour  
Glasgow Central – Hamilton/Larkhall: two trains per hour   
Glasgow Central – Lanark: two trains per hour   
Edinburgh Waverley – Glasgow Central via Shotts: one train per hour 
Edinburgh Waverley – Cowdenbeath: two trains per hour 
Edinburgh Waverley – Tweedbank: two trains per hour 
Edinburgh Waverley – North Berwick: one train per hour 
Edinburgh Waverley – Larbert: one train per hour
Glasgow Queen Street – Larbert: one train per hour 
Glasgow Queen Street – Falkirk Grahamston: one train per hour 
Milngavie – Springburn: two trains per hour