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Daily Record
Daily Record
Politics
Chris McCall

ScotRail branded 'ridiculous' as TRNSMT timetable chaos could leave youngsters stranded

Thousands of young Scots could be left stranded as a result of the timetable chaos on the country's railways, transport chiefs have been warned.

ScotRail - which was taken over by the Scottish Government in April - is still operating a restricted timetable due to a long-running industrial dispute with train drivers over pay.

It comes as tens of thousands of revellers prepare to descend on Glasgow Green this weekend for TRNSMT - Scotland's largest outdoor music event.

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One Glasgow MSP has now called on SNP ministers to "sort out" the transport mess to ensure youngsters can get home safely from the festival, which runs over three nights.

The final headline acts at TRNSMT generally do not finish before 11pm but there are no trains scheduled for beyond that time on Sunday night.

Trains from High Street, Argyle Street and Bridgeton - the three stations closest to Glasgow Green - all stop running before 10.30pm on Friday and Saturday.

Pam Duncan-Glancy, a Scottish Labour MSP for Glasgow, said young Scots needed to know they could get home safely at night.

She said: “It’s high time the First Minister turned her attention to the issues in her local area.

"Scotland’s young people need to know they can get home safely at night.

"The SNP run our rail network. They know that events like TRNSMT are crucial to our economy. They must get back around the negotiating table and sort this out."

Jill Reilly, transport spokeswoman for the Scottish Lib Dems, said: "Scotland needs more trains. There are going to be thousands of Scots young and old travelling to these events. It's completely ridiculous that they will not be able to get home by public transport.

"Since ministers took over ScotRail in April we have seen nothing but disruption. The Transport Minister seems to have been woefully unprepared for the task of running our railways.

"Unless reliable and regular services are restored soon we will see more nights out ruined and more Scots deciding that private cars are the only way to go."

Phil Campbell, head of customer operations for ScotRail, said: "We’re urging everyone travelling to TRSNMT this weekend to plan ahead, to check their entire journey, and to know what alternative transport is available for their journey home.

"We're sorry to our customers for the disruption they have been facing as a result of the temporary timetable, and we share their frustration.

"However, it’s only right that we provide more certainty for those travelling to allow them plan their journey."

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