WEST FIFERS are being warned of travel disruption as a result of train strike action.

Today, 50 trains have already been cancelled by Scotrail across the country, with several more being affected by driver shortages.

And rush hour Fife Circle services between the Kingdom and the capital are among those that have been axed. 

The 2.55pm from Cowdenbeath to Edinburgh and 3.48pm from Edinburgh to Glenrothes with Thoronton have already been cancelled. 

And the 4.49pm from Edinburgh to Glenrothes with Thornton, the 5pm from Glenrothes with Thornton to Edinburgh and the 6.01pm service, making the same journey, will not run either.  

The trouble on the tracks comes after Aslef, the union which represents train drivers, said they had "no option" but to ballot members for action.

ScotRail was taken into public ownership on April 1 for the first time in 25 years.

Since the change, Aslef said they had been "disappointed by the lack of action and any meaningful pay offer".

The union's organiser, Kevin Lindsay, had hoped that the move would create a more positive outlook for workers.

He said: "Just a few weeks ago, we were celebrating our trains being taken back into public ownership; we hoped this would herald a new era of positive industrial relations but it appears the same senior managers are determined to resort back to the failed strategies of the past.

"We have been left with no option but to ballot our members. We are determined to ensure that our members, the key workers who kept the railways going throughout the pandemic, are rewarded appropriately and that their pay reflects rising inflation and the cost-of-living pressures they face.

"We hope that ScotRail and the Scottish Government will change tack and get back round the negotiating table in a meaningful way.

"Aslef is committed to, and available for, talks at any time to help solve this impasse."

ScotRail have urged users to check their journeys before travelling and have apologised for disruption caused.

They said they currently rely on drivers working overtime to keep services running smoothly, which has not been possible after strike action was announced.

David Simpson, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, said: "We are experiencing a driver shortage, which means some services will be cancelled. We are very sorry for the disruption and inconvenience this will cause and understand customer frustration when this happens.

"If you’re travelling on the ScotRail network, please check your journey before travel by downloading the ScotRail app or visiting scotrail.co.uk.

"Unfortunately, since the drivers’ union ASLEF announced it would ballot for strike action, a significant number of drivers, but not all, have declined to make themselves available for overtime or rest day working. While rest day working is entirely voluntary this does mean we do not have the number of drivers available to operate the full timetable.

"We are currently reliant on drivers working overtime or on their rest days because of delays to training new drivers caused by the pandemic. This is something experienced by all operators across Britain.

"ScotRail has made a good offer that could potentially deliver an overall pay package worth a 7 per cent increase for staff. This gives hard-working staff a well-deserved pay rise, recognises the cost-of-living challenges faced by families across the country, and delivers value for the taxpayer.”

Transport Scotland responded by highlighting the transport minister's recent support for rail union RMT over pay disputes with Network Rail.

A spokesperson said: "Rail unions have long campaigned for public ownership and this Scottish Government has delivered our railways back into the public sector control.

"The transport minister has frequently met with rail unions in recent months and we absolutely understand the unions' desire to negotiate a fair settlement for their members.

"Very recently, the minister has provided clear support for the RMT in their current pay dispute with Network Rail at a UK level.

"Rail unions are aware any additional increase above public sector pay policy amounts have a clear process which must be followed which includes Cabinet approval."

They added that ScotRail workers had already received a previously-negotiated 2.2 per cent pay rise for the year.

"We would encourage them to continue meaningful dialogue with ScotRail so a mutually-agreeable outcome can be reached as soon as possible," the spokesperson added.

"It is our intention for ScotRail and its staff to benefit from the transition to public sector control and that is why we would call on everyone involved to take time to consider all options carefully."