ScotRail warns travellers of disruption over Christmas due to strikes

The strike action, which begins on Christmas Eve, will severely restrict rail services and people will be advised to only travel if it is “absolutely necessary”, Scottish Rail warned.

In the latest round of strikes by the RMT (Rail, Maritime and Transport) union, thousands of members are striking due to an ongoing wage dispute.

The strike begins on Christmas Eve at 6 p.m. The services end at 3 p.m. – much earlier than usual.

There will be no trains on Boxing Day and Boxing Day. Services are expected to resume later in the day, 27 December.

David Simpson, Service Delivery Director at ScotRail, said: “We remind customers that ScotRail services will be disrupted over the Christmas period due to the dispute between Network Rail and RMT.

“On Christmas Eve services will end earlier than usual, there will be no services on Boxing Day and on Tuesday 27 December the first trains will run later than usual.

“We know this is very frustrating for everyone affected and we urge customers to plan ahead and review their entire journey in advance.”

Avanti West Coast also strongly recommends that customers only travel if absolutely necessary and review their travel during the holidays.

The last train from Glasgow to London leaves on December 24th at 10:40.

Barry Milsom, Managing Director of Operations and Safety at Avanti West Coast, said: “There will be changes to our services over the holiday period due to planned improvement works and strike action by RMT members at Network Rail.

“For this reason, our last trains will depart earlier on Christmas Eve and services will start later on December 27. Customers are therefore advised to only travel on these days if absolutely necessary.”

“In addition, changed timetables apply and for some journeys a change or a rail replacement service is necessary.

“We urge our customers to plan ahead and check before they travel if they are traveling on our West Coast route between December 24 and January 2.”

The RMT has also announced plans for a four-day strike at the start of the new year, starting on January 3.