ScotRail To Deploy Temporary Timetable For January

ScotRail has had to make interim alterations to its timetable as a result of staff shortages caused by the impact of Covid.

Hundreds of employees have been isolated by the rail operator, resulting in the cancellation of numerous services.

A temporary timetable will be in effect until January 28 to offer customers with a level of confidence regarding which trains are running.

Routes in the central belt are primarily affected.

Between Monday and Friday, nine routes in and out of Glasgow's two largest stations will operate on a revised timetable, while three services to and from Edinburgh Waverley will be temporarily reduced.

Glasgow to Edinburgh via Falkirk High is Scotland's busiest service.

The adjustments have no impact on Scotland's busiest service, Glasgow to Edinburgh via Falkirk High.

ScotRail Operations Director David Simpson said: "ScotRail, like most businesses, is vulnerable to the effects of coronavirus.

"We've been working nonstop to maintain a safe and reliable railway in extremely challenging and rapidly changing conditions.

"We've tried to spread these adjustments out throughout the course of the day to minimize the impact on our passengers," says the company. "However, travelers should plan ahead and check train timings until they arrive at the station."

ScotRail reported 320 employees missing on December 29, including more than 100 drivers and roughly 60 conductors.

It accounts for around 6% of the 5,300-strong staff of drivers, conductors, and engineers.

In the event of a future surge in instances, the rail operator said it will continue to monitor worker absence levels in the following weeks.