Rail services in Perth and Kinross will return to a full timetable this week.
The restart of the normal ScotRail timetable from Wednesday, July 20, comes after members of the drivers’ union ASLEF voted to accept a five per cent pay increase.
It brings an end to the temporary timetable that has been in place since May 23.
Some 700 services nationwide were temporarily cut on May 23 as members of the ASLEF union refused to work rest days.
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.
With progress made in pay negotiations, the union put the pay offer to members with a recommendation to accept.
This recommendation led to members voting to accept, and ScotRail was notified of the results on Monday, July 11.
Work is now in progress to ensure that the timetable can be fully restored, with train planning staff working flat out to carry out the changes required for the near 700 services to be reintroduced.
This includes scheduling the movement of trains to where they need to be, with rosters for general grade staff and schedules for drivers being altered.
The train operator said that as part of this it is also managing some increases in COVID-related absences following the recent surge in infections across the country.
With events scheduled throughout the country in the coming weeks and months, including the Edinburgh Festival, this is a welcome step forward, and a huge boost for customers.
ScotRail service delivery director David Simpson said: “We are delighted to be able to reintroduce the timetable, adding almost 700 services each day, and delivering the service that our customers expect and deserve.
“It has been a very challenging few months, impacting those across the country who rely on rail travel and on our staff too.
“It is a big step forward to reach such a positive resolution and continue in our efforts to provide the safest, greenest, and most reliable railway we can.
“We thank customers for their patience through this period.”
