ScotRail services mothballed earlier this summer to return to Far North and Kyle line timetables, to relief of Highland passengers
Several mothballed rail journeys on the Far North and Kyle lines will be reintroduced from next week - in a move which has been hailed as a “step in the right direction” for beleaguered train passengers.
Rail passengers across Scotland's network have been hit by disruption to their usual timetables in recent months, caused by a shortfall in the number of drivers needed to operate all services as a result of an industrial dispute.
Because of the dispute, drivers who are members of the trade union ASLEF have been refusing to work overtime or volunteer for additional hours on rest days. These are usually needed to ensure a full timetable can operate as planned.
But with drivers working to rule, and recruitment of additional drivers still lagging behind the number required to offset the disruption caused by the dispute, ScotRail was forced to temporarily axe a number of services on routes up and down the country.
It instead introduced a reduced temporary timetable across dozens of its routes.
On the Far North and Kyle lines this resulted in fewer journeys between Inverness and the likes of of Kyle of Lochalsh and Caithness - although it is understood that it has recently been trying to run some of the mothballed services on an ‘as and when’ basis, with confirmation as to whether they are operating usually not coming until the night before.
But as from Monday, August 26, some of these journeys will permanently return to the timetable.
Previously mothballed services that will be back up in action include the 10.41am Inverness to Wick service on weekdays and Saturdays, and the 4pm Wick to Inverness train on those same days.
The Kyle line, meanwhile, will see its 1.35pm Inverness-Kyle service and 5.13pm Kyle-Inverness journeys reinstated on Mondays to Saturdays.
Confirming the return of the four journeys to timetables, Scott Prentice, ScotRail Strategy and Planning Director, said: “We recognise the temporary timetable is making rail travel less convenient for communities in the north and west Highlands of Scotland.
“We have recently managed to operate some additional services on the North Highland lines, subject to staff availability.
“We are delighted that from next week we can now add more services on the Far North and Kyle lines, reducing the impact of the temporary timetable on local communities and visitors.
"We recognise the importance of rail connections to our customers in the Highlands and thank them for their patience during this period. We will continue to explore opportunities to improve our service.”
News that some rail services are returning has been welcomed as a "step in the right direction" by Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP Jamie Stone.
Mr Stone, said: "For many reasons, this is a step in the right direction.
"Rail is a safe, efficient and environmentally friendly way to travel - which is why these services are so important to my constituents.
"Not everyone has the ability or privilege to be able to drive to where they need to go. That is why I hope ScotRail, and other rail service providers, will always seek to increase the number of services on offer.
"I hope the sheer number of customers making use of these services sends a clear message on the importance and value of rail services in the Far North - and indeed - the rest of the country."
However, while these four re-additions to the routes bring the timetables much closer to normal, there are still some services that are not yet running.
The previous temporary Sunday timetables remain in place on both lines. And people living between Ardgay and Inverness looking to take the 7.55am LNER train from Inverness to London are still without their early morning service, which would normally depart Ardgay at 6.13am and get into the Highland capital by 7.45am.
READ MORE: ScotRail cancels several Highland trains due to ex-Hurricane Ernesto aftermath and crew shortages
