Rail services will return to normal this week after a long-running pay dispute with drivers came to an end.
Last week, the train drivers’ union ASLEF agreed to accept a deal from Scotrail following a dispute which led to a temporary timetable being introduced in mid-May causing widespread disruption.
Services across West Dunbartonshire and Helensburgh have been severely impacted since the emergency schedule was brought in as talks took place between train drivers and the rail operator.
However, prior to this, many services were also cancelled at short notice across the local network.
Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie says constituents told her they were considering relocating due to the unreliable train service.
She welcomed the announcement but urged Scotrail to ensure they have a long-term plan for restoring timetables to pre-pandemic levels.
She said: “The SNP could have avoided turmoil over the past two months by offering a fair deal much earlier – but instead they dragged out this dispute and let passengers pay the price.
“It has impacted my constituency so severely that people are looking to move away as they feel that they can’t rely on public transport again.
“I was inundated with correspondence from people struggling to get to work or to make medical appointments due to the disruption and with no replacement bus services provided.
“Rail passengers across West Dunbartonshire and Helensburgh, who have been more adversely affected than others, will breathe a sigh of relief that this latest episode of Scotrail cuts and chaos looks set to end. However, going back to the situation we had in early May is not a perfect solution.
“I have written to Scotrail to urge them to launch a recruitment campaign locally and I look forward to hearing more about their plans to prevent such disruption from occurring again.”
David Simpson, Scotrail service delivery director, 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. We thank customers for their patience through this period.”
