ScotRail hopes to prevent travel chaos for Scotland's World Cup play-off clash next week
dailyrecord.co.ukScotRail has plans in place to prevent travel chaos for Scotland’s World Cup play-off semi final tie against Ukraine next week, the transport minister has claimed.
Tens of thousands of fans are expected to descend on Hampden Park in Glasgow on June 1 for what will be one of the most important fixtures in 20 years for the men’s national team.
But recent cuts to ScotRail services may throw many fans’ plans to travel to the game up in the air. More than 700 services were slashed from ScotRail’s schedule yesterday amid a pay dispute with train drivers’ union Aslef.
ScotRail, which was nationalised in April this year, offered workers a 2.2 per cent increase in wages, with the option of a revenue share agreement which would have taken the package to five per cent.The offer was rejected from Aslef and workers are now refusing to work overtime and on rest days amid the dispute.With the Tartan Army expected to travel from across Scotland for the crucial World Cup tie, Scottish Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth said she is keen for a resolution to be reached between all parties.In response to a topical parliamentary question from Conservative North East MSP Tess White on whether alternative transport arrangements would be in place for travelling fans, Ms Gilruth said she "understands" the concerns from supporters.She said: "This is, of course, Scotland's most important game in a long time and we really want to ensure that supporters can get to and from the match on public transport using, where possible, our bus services across Scotland."I would note though, before this timetable was introduced, the last train from Glasgow to Aberdeen would have been at 21:40, meaning it still would not have returned people home to Aberdeen
Read more on dailyrecord.co.uk
