ScotRail said today that it will ensure rugby fans get to and from the Scotland v England

RBS 6 Nations game at Murrayfield on March 13.

The train operator also announced that it intends to run more than 95% of trains across Scotland on the day of the game.

Steve Montgomery, ScotRail’s managing director, said: “I am delighted we will run even more trains on March 13 to ensure that rugby fans enjoy their big day out.”

The company plans to run its usual rugby services between Glasgow and Edinburgh services for the 17.00 kick off – with extra carriages provided.

On the previous two strike dates by the RMT, ScotRail ran at least nine out of 10 trains – with the figure reaching 93% of all services on Monday March 1.

The special timetable for March 13 will again see 100% of services on many routes, especially across Central Scotland. The 100% services will also include Aberdeen and Inverness services to and from Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Mr Montgomery added: “We have made every effort to give rugby fans and the travelling public as robust a service as possible. The contingency plans are such that we intend to run at least 95% of services.”

The special timetable is still being finalised and will be announced in the near future.

As previously, a number of rural services will be replaced by buses.

The RMT strike is over having ticket examiners rather than conductors as the second person on services on the new £300m line between Glasgow and Edinburgh via Airdrie and Bathgate.

The new line will create 130 new jobs – and the trains are the same as those which have operated in Scotland for 25 years.

ScotRail remains available for meaningful talks at any time.

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SCOTRAIL UPS ITS GAME FOR CALCUTTA CUP DAY

ScotRail today reiterated its offer to meet the RMT at any time.

Steve Montgomery, managing director of ScotRail, advised the union in writing:

“Firstly, we strongly refute your allegations that driver door operated services with a ticket examiner on board is unsafe.

“Secondly, I note that you have challenged ScotRail to join you for meaningful talks. I would remind you that I have repeatedly made clear I am available for talks at any time. This is the first suggestion that you want to meet. Please contact me to arrange a suitable date and time.”

Mr Montgomery was responding to a so-called “challenge” by the union for talks.

The RMT has announced a strike tomorrow over having ticket examiners rather than conductors as the second person on services on the new £300m line between Glasgow and Edinburgh via Airdrie and Bathgate.

ScotRail intends to run at least nine of 10 trains across Scotland.

Mr Montgomery said: “It is business as usual for Scotland’s railway. Our contingency plans are such that almost all our customers will not notice there is a strike.

“However, ScotRail has repeatedly said it remains available for further talks at any time.”

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ScotRail again offers to meet RMT

The following is issued by ScotRail in response to the RMT advising in writing today that a ballot was in favour of strike action over plans to introduce driver door operated trains with ticket examiners on the Glasgow to Edinburgh via Airdrie and Bathgate route which is due to open in December. No dates of possible strike action were provided, with the union advising it will write again shortly.

A ScotRail spokesman said: “It is deeply disappointing, with strike action unjustified especially at a time when a number of businesses across the UK are announcing posts are being axed or threatened.”

He added: “The services will be no different from those which have run in Scotland for more than 25 years – and will create 130 new jobs and offer major benefits to passengers.

“No one is losing their job and current terms and conditions are guaranteed. But the scheduled reopening of the £300m link is now at risk by a union campaign which boils down to who opens and shuts doors on trains.”

ScotRail stressed that it plans to run the vast majority of services during the strikes.

For example, it aims to run 100% of services between Edinburgh and Glasgow Queen Street; between Edinburgh/Glasgow and Aberdeen; Edinburgh/Glasgow and Inverness, and Aberdeen-Inverness.

ScotRail also anticipates that all services in Strathclyde will operate, with the exception of Motherwell-Cumbernauld.

There will be high service levels on many other routes – including the Fife Circle.

There will be replacement buses on any rural route where trains cannot be provided.

Background information

More than 200 ScotRail staff are being trained and a number of staff from several other FirstGroup Tocs will be drafted in during the dispute.

• Driver door operated trains with ticket examiners on board have operated in Scotland for more than 25 years. Indeed, the majority of passenger journeys – some 56%, more than 47m a year – are on these trains.

• The Airdrie-Bathgate line will create about 130 jobs – including more than 30 drivers and more than 30 on train staff.

• If the Airdrie-Bathgate trains were to be operated by conductors, £1.4 million would have to be spent converting the trains for conductor operation.

• The trains would have to be withdrawn for a significant period of time to carry out the conversion. That withdrawal could see a reduction of existing services – and delay the opening of the new route.

• Appropriate safeguards will be put in place with regard to the new services. In particular, there will be methods to ensure the driver can safely open and close the doors – and there will be a secure radio system to ensure the signaller and driver can always reliably contact each other, without the driver leaving the train.

• Conductor numbers continue to increase. In December 21 new conductor posts were created – thanks to the twice an hour services to Kilmarnock and the new Edinburgh via Shotts services.

• The RMT conductors have been advised ScotRail is confident it will recover all its costs of a strike as the company will demonstrate all reasonable steps to avoid a strike have been taken. Conductors will lose an average £112 a day plus commission on ticket sales.

• The trains will include a second member of staff on board (a ticket examiner) whose main responsibility is customer care.

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RMT strike action