ScotRail announces no extra trains between Glasgow and Edinburgh after Scotland v Ukraine clash

Scotland fans face a travel nightmare ahead of Wednesday’s crucial World Cup qualifying match with Ukraine after ScotRail announced no extra trains would be scheduled following the final whistle.

The national rail operator is locked in a bitter dispute with drivers’ union Aslef over pay, resulting in hundreds of services being cancelled.

The Tartan Army are expected to pack out Hampden for the semi-final clash, but it is now unlikely public transport links will be open post-match.

Bosses say fans will “be unable to travel” on the last train between Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh Waverley, which leaves at 22.15 – around 30 minutes after the match is due to finish assuming it does not go to extra time or penalties.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney previously said he was “very confident” the newly-nationalised firm would have a plan in place to cope with demand.

But ScotRail now says there are “fewer options for fans travelling to and from” the game and is encouraging those attending to be mindful of the limitations in place.

A statement from ScotRail read: “We’re urging Scotland fans to plan ahead for Wednesday’s match against Ukraine, with our temporary timetable still in place.

“We’ll be running some extra services to/from Mount Florida, as well as adding more carriages on trains serving Mount Florida & Kings Park.

“The temporary timetable means fewer options for fans going to/from Glasgow before & after the game.

“The last train to Edinburgh from Glasgow Queen St is 2215, on which those attending the match will be unable to travel.”

Some additional trains between Glasgow Central and satellite stations to Hampden, including King’s Park and Mount Florida, are being added to ensure fans get to the game.

The next available bus between the two cities available to fans choosing not to drive is scheduled to leave Buchanan Bus Station at 5am on Thursday morning.

Almost 700 journeys have been scrapped during an impasse over an initial 2.2% wage rise branded “derisory” by Aslef – however that offer has since been raised to 4.2%.

Steve Clarke’s side will face Wales in Cardiff on Sunday should they beat Ukraine for a place at the tournament finals in Qatar later this year.

The deputy First Minister – while standing in for Nicola Sturgeon at First Minister’s Questions last week – said: “Obviously, we want to see more services in place to deal with the Ukraine match and I’m very confident that ScotRail will have in place additional services to ensure that the specific requirements of accessing Hampden will be addressed as part of that process and there will be announcements made in due course.”