Perth and Kinross train stations will not be among those to benefit from temporary additional late-night rail services announced by ScotRail after it made a breakthrough in pay talks with its drivers.
It comes after the now state-owned rail operator cut hundreds of train services over the past few weeks due to staff shortages.
Some 700 services were temporarily cut on May 23 as members of the ASLEF union refused to work rest days and ScotRail introduced a temporary timetable for its network.
The timetable was effective from Monday to Saturday then, at the start of June, the scaled-back timetable was extended for Sunday services as well as weekdays as the dispute continued.
ScotRail has began to reintroduce additional late evening trains on Fridays and Saturdays and the latest announcement will mean late services returning Monday to Saturday.
However the stations to benefit from extended evening services are mostly based around Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen with Stirling Rail station also included.
On Thursday, ScotRail “welcomed” the progress on driver pay talks after the operator made an improved offer to resolve the current dispute.
The offer will see pay increase by five per cent, along with more money for rest day and Sunday working, driving instructor and maternity pay, plus a policy of no compulsory redundancies for the next five years.
Under the offer, basic pay for drivers (excluding trainees and those who are newly qualified) would increase by more than £2600, taking the salary to £55,264.
David Simpson, ScotRail’s service delivery director, said the firm had “listened to the feedback from customers and businesses and have acted”.
Responding to the five per cent pay offer, which will now be subject to drivers’ consultation, GMB Scotland senior organiser Keir Greenaway said: “Credit to ASLEF members for standing together and fighting for what they feel they are worth.
“Scottish Government ministers can be assured that GMB members across local government are doing likewise to confront the cost-of-living crisis and to make work better.
“Today’s developments certainly demonstrate the paltry two per cent offer currently on the table from COSLA, a figure worth less than a tenner a week extra for staff earning under £25,000 a year, is neither credible nor acceptable.
“It’s clear the only language our political leaders understand is action.
“That’s why we are recommending our members vote yes for strikes in our local government ballot.”
