ScotRail cancels seven Edinburgh trains after driver clocks on three hours early

Seven ScotRail trains on Edinburgh services had to be cancelled today because a driver started work three hours early.
ScotRail said no replacement driver was available to cover for the error. Picture: Ian GeorgesonScotRail said no replacement driver was available to cover for the error. Picture: Ian Georgeson
ScotRail said no replacement driver was available to cover for the error. Picture: Ian Georgeson

Passengers on lines between the capital, North Berwick and Dunbar were affected.

The driver started his shift at 5:40am rather than 8:40am as scheduled - so finished three hours earlier than he was supposed to.

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ScotRail blamed an administrative mix-up and said the driver could not continue working beyond his maximum hours.

It told passengers: "Due to a shortage of train crew between Edinburgh and Musselburgh, disruption is expected until 1700.

Trains cancelled were the 14:15 Edinburgh to Dunbar, 14:43 Edinburgh to North Berwick, 15:43 Edinburgh to North Berwick, 15:12 Dunbar to Edinburgh, 15:27 North Berwick to Edinburgh and 16:26 North Berwick to Edinburgh."

ScotRail said this was due a mix up where driver started his shift earlier than supposed to, following a change in roster.

But due to the late notice of what happened, a replacement driver could not be found.

The train operator said that although only one driver involved, some of the cancellations were a knock-on effect of other drivers being moved around to prevent peak services also being stopped.

Kevin Lindsay, Scotland district secretary of the main drivers' union Aslef, said: "Unfortunately this is not uncommon, but due to driver shortages, trains get cancelled.

"Around ten additional drivers will be passed out in December in Edinburgh and that should help.

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"But until then, trains will get cancelled unless drivers work overtime."

A ScotRail spokesperson said: “We’re sorry to customers who have been disrupted following a shortage of train crew.

“Anyone delayed by 30 minutes or more can claim money back through the Delay Repay guarantee on our website or mobile app.”