Nicola Sturgeon has apologised to passengers who face yet more misery on Scotland's railways ahead of the introduction of a temporary timetable that will see services slashed by a third.
A row over train driver pay has led to Scotrail bosses to remove 600 services from the timetable as of Monday.
Negotiations between the ASLEF rail union and transport chiefs have reportedly reached rock bottom with no end to the dispute in sight.
Services on the mainline between Glasgow and Edinburgh will be reduced to just 30 each way on weekdays - down from 45.
It comes just weeks after the ScotRail franchise was brought back under government control.
Speaking at First Minister's Questions today, Sturgeon was asked by Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross if she would say sorry for the "chaos and disruption" on the rail network.
She said: "I always take the opportunity to apologise to any member of the public in Scotland who doesn't get from a public service - whether that is the railway, or any other service - the standard they have a right to expect.
"And that includes those who are being disrupted right now because of the temporary timetable being put in place by ScotRail."
The First Minister added: "I would expect the timetable to return to normal as quickly as possible - and that expectation is being made very, very clear to ScotRail."
The SNP leader said she wanted a "fair, but affordable" pay deal to be agreed between bosses and unions over train driver pay.
ScotRail is also under pressure to employ more staff so a reliance on drivers working rest days as overtime can be reduced.
Sturgeon insisted: "I want to see services back to normal as quickly as possible".
Ross hit back: "These cuts are not just going to affect passengers - they are devastating for businesses as well.
"Businesses in our city centres that are still reeling from the impact of the covid pandemic are now facing another lost summer.
"In so many places across Scotland, people are not going to be able to get a train to use it after a night out."
The Tory highlighted the example of the Edinburgh to Perth route where the last train will depart at 8pm instead of 11pm.
"On train services across, the last train is being brought forward by hours," he added.
Ross called for nighttime businesses to be offered compensation as a result of the service cuts.
Sturgeon responded: "It is important to note this temporary timetable is designed to give passengers more uncertainty in the short term.
"It is disruptive and it is not acceptable - that is why we must see all parties get round the table to agree a fair and affordable deal."
Kevin Lindsay, Scottish organiser for the ASLEF union, said: "ScotRail and the Scottish Government have handled this situation appallingly.
"Nicola Sturgeon has to recognise that the pay dispute can only be settled with a resumption of immediate talks.
"We need a fair pay deal and there must also be a clear and proactive plan to recruit more drivers.
"ASLEF stands ready to resume talks with the company anytime, anywhere, any place. We have said this from day one and today we repeat that call.
"Relying on drivers to work rest days is no way to run a 21st century railway.
"This situation will not be resolved if ScotRail fails to engage in meaningful talks."
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