Perth and Kinross rail commuters are set to be plunged into six days of travel mayhem next week - with three days of train services to be axed.
ScotRail is warning customers against using rail services on June 21, 23, and 25, when RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers) members in posts at Network Rail will go on strike.
It will leave just five central routes operating across the whole of Scotland on those days - a drop of over 90 per cent - with the days following also set to incur “significant disruption”.
During the strike days, limited services will serve Edinburgh, Bathgate, Glasgow, Hamilton and Lanark – but none in Perth and Kinross.
Network Rail will not be able to open any other signal boxes to operate passenger services on any other routes on the strike days.
The UK-wide strike action by the RMT union against Network Rail and 13 train providers is due to a dispute over pay, jobs threats and conditions.
This dispute does not involve ScotRail staff, however it will have a major knock-on effect on the national train operator’s ability to provide services as the RMT planned action will involve Network Rail staff in Scotland.
Many of the Network Rail staff that are due to take part in the planned industrial action occupy safety-critical roles and, as such, ScotRail says it will not be possible for it to run the vast majority of services.
Disruption to ScotRail services will not be confined to the days of strike action and will also impact the day following each day of action on June 22, 24 and 26.
The disruption will be caused by the reopening of signal boxes at different times across the country.
Signal boxes are key pieces of infrastructure located across the rail network that control train movements, their use is critical to ensure that the railway can operate safely.
The RMT has said it is open to meaningful negotiations, and that its members have been subjected to pay freezes, threats to jobs and attacks on their terms and conditions.
The upcoming strikes deal a further blow to Perth and Kinross rail commuters who have had to deal with severely reduced train timetables over the past month due to sector pay disputes.
ScotRail service delivery director David Simpson said: “It is very unfortunate to see such widespread disruption across the whole of the Great Britain rail network and we know this will be frustrating for ScotRail customers.
“Regrettably, this strike action by RMT members of Network Rail means that we will not be able to operate the vast majority of our services during the period of strike action.
“Customers should expect significant disruption to services next week, including on the days between strike action.
“On the five routes where we are able to operate a very limited service on strike days, we’re advising customers to seek alternative means of transport and to only travel if they really need to.”
Network Rail Scotland route director Liam Sumpter said: “We are continuing talks with our trade unions to seek a compromise that would avoid this damaging strike action.
“Our industry has been deeply affected by the pandemic, with passenger numbers still at only 75 per cent of pre-COVID levels.
“We must modernise to put our railway on a sound financial footing for the future and reduce the burden on taxpayers.
“We are working hard to run as many trains as possible on strike days for our passengers and freight customers to keep as many people moving as we possibly can.”
The action is separate to the pay dispute between ScotRail and the ASLEF union, which has seen hundreds of trains cancelled each day after many drivers opted not to work overtime.
Some late-night rail services did resume, however, after a breakthrough in pay talks last week.
ScotRail has made a five per cent pay rise offer, and ASLEF has recommended members to accept the deal at a ballot on July 11.
It would take the average salary for train drivers to £55,264.
Customers are being advised to check the ScotRail app or visit scotrail.co.uk for the latest information before travelling.
ScotRail is offering refunds for those unable to use their tickets because of the rail strikes, which can be accessed through its website.
