ScotRail is warning customers to expect major disruption as RMT begins a fresh wave of strikes after a dispute over pay. 

The rail, maritime and transport workers union will begin industrial action in early October which will limit services to a small handful of routes. 

ScotRail say that many of the workers set to go on strike occupy safety critical roles, making it impossible to operate most routes. 

The disruption will not be confined to the strike dates, with the days following each strike also being affected. 

David Simpson, Scotrail’s Service Delivery Director said: “It’s really disappointing to see more widespread disruption across the whole Great Britain rail network at a time when we need to be encouraging more people back to the railway.   

“For ScotRail, it’s going to mean that we won’t be able to operate the vast majority of our services, which we know will be really frustrating for our customers.     

He added: “We’re advising customers to seek alternative means of transport and to only travel if they really need to on the day of strike action. Customers should check your journey in advance to make sure your train is running.” 

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However, RMT General Secretary Mike Lynch said: "No new offer has been tabled, our members have no choice but to continue this strike action  

"We will continue to negotiate in good faith, but the employers and government need to understand our industrial campaign will continue for as long as it takes.” 

When are the train strikes? 

The Network Rail strikes are set to take place on Saturday, October 1 and October 8 next week. 

The days following each strike date will also be affected, meaning trains will be severely limited on October 2 and 9. 

RMT have also announced action on Monday, October 10, but Scotrail will update customers once contingency plans are finalised. 

The final train will depart well before 6:30pm, Scotrail has warned. 

Routes that will be in operation and their frequency 

Only 11 routes across the Scottish Borders, Fife, and the Central Belt will run. 

  • Edinburgh Waverley – Glasgow Queen Street via Falkirk High: two trains per hour      
  • Edinburgh Waverley – Helensburgh Central: two trains per hour     
  • Glasgow Central – Hamilton/Larkhall: two trains per hour      
  • Glasgow Central – Lanark: two trains per hour      
  • Edinburgh Waverley – Glasgow Central via Shotts: one train per hour    
  • Edinburgh Waverley – Cowdenbeath: two trains per hour    
  • Edinburgh Waverley – Tweedbank: two trains per hour    
  • Edinburgh Waverley – Larbert: one train per hour   
  • Glasgow Queen Street – Larbert: one train per hour    
  • Glasgow Queen Street – Falkirk Grahamston: one train per hour    
  • Milngavie – Springburn: two trains per hour    

Edinburgh – North Berwick services, which had been in operation on previous strike days, will not run due to planned engineering works along the route.