Scottish Government resilience committee meet over rail strikes

Mr Yousaf said:

“These planned strikes will undoubtedly mean further disruption for the public who are quite understandably losing patience with the current situation.

"Although ScotRail has been running over 80% of services as normal on recent strike days, I am aware this industrial action is inconveniencing many people and damaging the reputation of Scotland’s railway. Safety on our railways is paramount and I have sought and received assurances from the independent rail regulator around the safety of Driver Controlled Operation.

“To ensure we are prepared for the planned strikes and that disruption is minimised should they go ahead, I convened the Scottish Government’s resilience committee today.

“As has been the case throughout this period, the Scottish Government’s national traffic control centre will be staffed on strike days to monitor the impact on our transport network and coordinate appropriate contingency plans.

“I believe there is a solution to be found through negotiation and as talks are still ongoing I would call for these strikes to be suspended and for all parties to focus on resolving this increasingly frustrating situation.

“As always, I would like to thank the public for their endurance.”