Far North and Kyle Line Trains Return to Pre-Dispute Timetables
Highland rail passengers are set to benefit from the reintroduction of several previously mothballed ScotRail services on the Far North and Kyle lines, starting next week. The move comes as a welcome relief for passengers who have faced widespread disruption to their usual timetables due to a prolonged industrial dispute.
The dispute, which has seen members of the ASLEF trade union refusing to work overtime or volunteer for additional hours on rest days, has resulted in a shortage of train drivers across Scotland's network. This has forced ScotRail to implement a temporary reduced timetable, impacting numerous routes, including the Far North and Kyle lines.
As a result, travellers on these lines have experienced reduced service frequency, with confirmation of service availability often not coming until the evening before.
However, from Monday, 26 August, four services will be permanently reinstated, bringing the timetables closer to their pre-dispute schedules. These include the 10.41am Inverness to Wick service on weekdays and Saturdays, the 4pm Wick to Inverness service on the same days, and the 1.35pm Inverness-Kyle service and 5.13pm Kyle-Inverness journeys on Mondays to Saturdays.
Scott Prentice, ScotRail Strategy and Planning Director, expressed satisfaction with the reintroduction of these services. "We recognise the importance of rail connections to our customers in the Highlands and thank them for their patience during this period," he said. "We will continue to explore opportunities to improve our service."
The return of these services has been welcomed by Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP Jamie Stone, who described it as "a step in the right direction". He highlighted the importance of reliable rail services for constituents who may not have access to private transport, emphasizing their value to both local communities and visitors.
Despite this positive development, some services remain suspended. The previous temporary Sunday timetables remain in place on both lines, and the 7.55am LNER train from Inverness to London, which would normally depart Ardgay at 6.13am, is still unavailable.
ScotRail continues to grapple with the impact of the ongoing industrial dispute, and while the return of these services marks a positive step, passengers are encouraged to remain informed about potential further disruptions.
