ScotRail timetable to be reduced as operator hit by staff shortages

ScotRail services are to be scaled back from this week as the rail operator is hit by staff shortages due to coronavirus.

A temporary timetable with a reduced number of trains is to be implemented on Tuesday, January 4.

It will be in operation from Monday to Friday until January 28.

Our timetable is changing between 4 & 28 January 2022. We have colleagues absent due to COVID-19 and we want to give customers some certainty about which trains are running. The alterations are mainly in the Central Belt, but everyone should check their journey before travelling.
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) January 3, 2022

Last month, a significant number of services were cancelled due to staff absence.

The main routes impacted are in the central built, the operator indicated.

However, the busy Glasgow to Edinburgh via Falkirk High route is not affected by the changes.

David Simpson, ScotRail operations director, urged people to plan ahead and to check train times.

“Like most businesses, ScotRail is not immune to the impact of coronavirus,” he said.

“We’ve been working flat out to run a safe and reliable railway in really difficult and rapidly changing circumstances.

“We’ve looked to spread these changes out across the day where possible to minimise the impact on our customers, but people should plan ahead and continue to check the train times right up until they arrive at the station.”