EXCLUSIVE: ScotRail driver considers walking away because of pressure
An emergency timetable is starting on Monday because of driver shortages.
Last updated 20th May 2022
A ScotRail driver claims he is being begged to work on days off because of a shortage of staff.
Hundreds of train services are being cut on Monday because of a row with the union ASLEF over a pay offer and drivers are turning down extra shifts.
Speaking exclusively to Northsound 1 he said: "More drivers are retiring or leaving to go to other train operators and they are not being replaced.
"This means we are always being asked to take on extra shifts during our rest days which we are entitled to.
"Every time I am about to go on my days off I am actually being asked to come in and work again."
"I feel obliged to come in and help"
The emergency timetable on Monday will affect mostly night time services.
The driver added: "It is difficult to make plans and ScotRail can change your working day 3 hours either way the day before.
"I feel obliged to come in and help cover trains on days off so it feels like they aren't my own.
"We are getting paid for it, but there is more to life than the money."
"I will consider going to another train operator"
The unnamed driver admits he is considering quitting the job for good.
"I hope these issues get resolved soon, but it just feels like there is no accountability.
"I started this career and it was absolutely brilliant.
"Most people would tell you it's all about the money, but there is far more to life than that.
"If things continue the way they are now then I will consider going to another train operator or leave the industry altogether."
ScotRail claims that rest working is entirely voluntary and in 2019 it recruited 130 trainee drivers who haven't completed training yet because of the pandemic.
David Simpson, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, said: “We are very sorry to customers for the disruption of recent days.
"We know what customers want more than anything is certainty and reliability, which is why we are introducing a temporary timetable.
“We want to resolve this dispute with the trade unions and move forward together to provide the safest, greenest, and most reliable railway we can for Scotland.
"We remain open to further talks with the trade unions.
“We’re asking customers to check their journey on our website, mobile app, and through our social media channels as train times will have changed.”