Perth and Kinross passengers are set to experience a third day without train services this week after union and railway employer talks on Wednesday failed to halt planned strike action.
Saturday’s service shutdown in the region will go ahead with around 40,000 Network Rail staff nationwide walking out - in the biggest rail strike in 30 years - over a dispute over pay, working conditions and redundancies.
Local commuters went without trains yesterday and Tuesday due to the mass industrial action from RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers) members with only five routes running in Scotland on those days - all across the central belt.
The disruption also impacts services on the days following on June 22, 24 and 26.
The RMT said that it is taking this action amid claims of £4 billion of cuts to the UK transport system by the Westminster government.
Officials say that this has resulted in job cuts across the rail network, with firms using controversial fire and rehire practices.
The RMT added that workers have also made complaints about the general working conditions in the rail industry and is protesting against reported plans to close a number of ticket offices across the country.
They are also seeking a seven per cent pay rise, which the RMT says reflects the cost of living crisis.
The breakdown in talks between the RMT and rail companies led to recriminations between the union and the government.
Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT workers’ union, claimed transport secretary Grant Shapps had “wrecked” negotiations by not allowing Network Rail to withdraw its letter threatening redundancy for 2900 of its members.
Mr Shapps called the claim “a total lie”.
Meanwhile closer to home, Scott Meikle, co-owner of The Moor of Rannoch Restaurant and Rooms next to Rannoch railway station, revealed earlier this week his five-roomed accommodation saw 24 room bookings drop to six due to the strikes.
Speaking to BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland programme he said: “With the prospect of trains not being able to run, there is no viable alternative to get to us.
“The West Highland Line is a fantastic scenic route which goes through this vast wilderness of Rannoch Moor and we are right in the centre.
“So the railways play a huge part in getting our guests to us.
“The cancellations have already started and have been affecting us for the last few days.”
But Scott, who normally sees about 70 per cent of his guests arrive and leave by train, revealed to the PA yesterday that most of the rooms at The Moor of Rannoch have been re-booked after promoting the extra availabilities online.
The PA also contacted a number of hospitality businesses in the region for their reaction to the industrial action.
General manager at Fishers Hotel Pitlochry Brian Wishart said the strikes have not had any affect on bookings, with the only concerns for guests getting the train home this week.
Many of those who stay at the accommodation use coaching groups for travel and a number of others opted to travel by car rather than cancel their visit.
A staff member at the Moulin Hotel in Pitlochry revealed the strikes saw little to no cancellations, with June having been a quiet month for the town in general.
Receptionist at Birnam Hotel Ellie Anderson also said the cancellations have had little impact on bookings.
