A MAJOR update on ScotRail’s timetable chaos has been issued – with bosses revealing when they expect services to run as normal.
A bitter train driver pay dispute, which started last month, has left many services running on an emergency timetable.
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Many journeys have been cancelled or postponed on short notice.
But thousands of ScotRail staff will be recommended to agree to an improved 4.5 per cent deal, The Scotsman reports.
It is understood that the offer was put on the table a day before its main union announced a series of stoppages.
Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union members had voted for walkouts.
And train drivers union Aslef was expected to follow in its strike ballot which was due to be held this week.
But the train operator said Aslef shelved the vote.
The union will now hold a ballot over the new offer – which will close on Wednesday, September 25.
It comes after a three-year deal worth nine per cent, including around three per cent this year was rejected.
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Due to strike action, ScotRail put an emergency timetable in place.
The move saw hundreds of services axed amid a pay dispute with drivers – who are no longer working rest days.
Sunday services have been “significantly reduced” and passengers have been urged to check their trains ahead of their journey.
But bosses do not expect the full timetable to be up and running for another month.
ScotRail service delivery director Mark Ilderton told The Scotsman: ”The talks with trade union colleagues have been very constructive and it is a fantastic step forward with Aslef withdrawing the ballot for industrial action and moving forward with a member referendum on the pay offer.
“We’re pleased that we’ve been able to reach this position and would encourage all colleagues to support the offer.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government’s Transport Scotland said: “The progress on pay talks, with the unions’ recommendation to their national executive that the latest offer is taken to a members’ referendum, is welcome.
“Ministers would encourage those involved to vote to accept this fair and affordable pay deal to enable ScotRail to return to the previous timetable of around 2,250 services per day – the highest since pre-Covid.”
It comes as Scots face whopping rail fare hikes next month after SNP ministers axed their popular peak-time discount scheme.
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The Scottish Government blamed the axe on a lack of cash and said the year-long ScotRail promo – costing taxpayers £40 million – had failed to prompt a big enough rise in passengers.
The move means fares will rocket after September 27 – including a peak-time return ticket almost doubling from £16.20 to £31.40 on the busy Glasgow–Edinburgh route.