ScotRail has plans in place to prevent travel chaos for Scotland’s World Cup play-off semi final tie against Ukraine next week, the transport minister has claimed.
Tens of thousands of fans are expected to descend on Hampden Park in Glasgow on June 1 for what will be one of the most important fixtures in 20 years for the men’s national team.
But recent cuts to ScotRail services may throw many fans’ plans to travel to the game up in the air.
More than 700 services were slashed from ScotRail’s schedule yesterday amid a pay dispute with train drivers’ union Aslef.
ScotRail, which was nationalised in April this year, offered workers a 2.2 per cent increase in wages, with the option of a revenue share agreement which would have taken the package to five per cent.
The offer was rejected from Aslef and workers are now refusing to work overtime and on rest days amid the dispute.
With the Tartan Army expected to travel from across Scotland for the crucial World Cup tie, Scottish Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth said she is keen for a resolution to be reached between all parties.
In response to a topical parliamentary question from Conservative North East MSP Tess White on whether alternative transport arrangements would be in place for travelling fans, Ms Gilruth said she "understands" the concerns from supporters.
She said: "This is, of course, Scotland's most important game in a long time and we really want to ensure that supporters can get to and from the match on public transport using, where possible, our bus services across Scotland.
"I would note though, before this timetable was introduced, the last train from Glasgow to Aberdeen would have been at 21:40, meaning it still would not have returned people home to Aberdeen after the match.
"ScotRail is aware of the various large cultural and sporting events across the summer and the impact the reduced timetable might have on them.
"It's currently being reflected by ScotRail in terms of how they will address that.”
In an update from ScotRail on Friday, Ms Gilruth said she has had assurances "that plans are in place and they will publicise details of this in due course. as they do will all major events”.
"I will be meeting with ScotRail tomorrow to seek an update on this work and more broadly, of course, the negotiations as they are due to meet with Aslef this afternoon," she added.
Liberal Democrat MSP Willie Rennie told Ms Gilruth that Scotland will suffer "humiliation" if the services are not resolved in time for the 150th Open Championship being held in St Andrews in July.
Ms Gilruth said since the event is still some months away, she hopes "to reach a resolution" with the unions before the historic golf event, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which runs from August 5 to August 29.
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