Ayrshire rail woe for passengers as ScotRail drivers dispute sees services slashed

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Key Ayrshire train services look set to be slashed by ScotRail – leading to travel chaos.Only 70 per cent of weekday services will run as of next week due a shortage of drivers who are locked in a pay dispute.The last trains to busy Ayrshire stations will be cut by hours, with some final journeys leaving Glasgow as early as 6.18pm.And express trains – which skip a host of stations between Ayr and Glasgow – have been axed, meaning increased journey times.The cuts have been described as ‘devastating for passengers’ with some towns set to be cut off and commuters facing a headache over earlier trains.ScotRail has confirmed they will introduce the new schedule on Monday and it will see 700 weekday services cut.The Ayrshire Live app is available to download now.Get all the local news in your area – plus features, football news and the latest on the coronavirus crisis – at your fingertips 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories while you can customise your page with the sections that matter to you.The Ayrshire Live app is available to download now on iOS and Android.Services have been slashed due to ongoing pay issues with drivers, with ScotRail telling customers they have been reliant on drivers working overtime and on rest days.Bosses also say the impact of the pandemic meant they were unable to train new drivers and have blamed Covid for the company losing out on having 130 new drivers fully trained.Drivers have rejected an offer of a 2.2 per cent pay rise, leading to staff shortages.Drivers' union ASLEF had balloted members for strike action after rejecting the offer.West Scotland MSP Katy Clark has slammed the cuts and rail bosses for blaming their own staff.The Labour representative