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Trains to be cancelled on second day of rail strikes Trains to be cancelled on second day of rail strikes
(about 5 hours later)
Commuters will face another day of disruption as ScotRail workers continue a planned series of one-day strikes. Commuters are facing another day of disruption as ScotRail workers continue a planned series of one-day strikes.
It is the second strike this week in a dispute that centres on proposals to operate more trains without guards.It is the second strike this week in a dispute that centres on proposals to operate more trains without guards.
Traffic Scotland said there was likely to be "severe disruption" to some rail services and more traffic on the roads.Traffic Scotland said there was likely to be "severe disruption" to some rail services and more traffic on the roads.
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf urged people to plan ahead before setting off on their journeys.Transport Minister Humza Yousaf urged people to plan ahead before setting off on their journeys.
He said: "The issue of safety is a top priority on our railways, so I'm very disappointed that we're planning for a second round of industrial action when further dialogue between ScotRail and the RMT union is still an option.He said: "The issue of safety is a top priority on our railways, so I'm very disappointed that we're planning for a second round of industrial action when further dialogue between ScotRail and the RMT union is still an option.
"It is the travelling public that loses out in situations like this, so I once again urge both parties to reopen meaningful discussions to work towards an agreement that stops further strikes from going ahead."It is the travelling public that loses out in situations like this, so I once again urge both parties to reopen meaningful discussions to work towards an agreement that stops further strikes from going ahead.
"We would again ask them to think about alternative measures to help ease the pressure on the rail network, such as working from home, car-sharing, avoiding travel at peak periods, and using buses to get to work. ""We would again ask them to think about alternative measures to help ease the pressure on the rail network, such as working from home, car-sharing, avoiding travel at peak periods, and using buses to get to work. "
A total of 15 routes - including Glasgow Central to Inverness and Edinburgh to Aberdeen - will be cancelled while other key routes, including Glasgow to Aberdeen and Edinburgh to the Fife Circle will run at a reduced frequency.A total of 15 routes - including Glasgow Central to Inverness and Edinburgh to Aberdeen - will be cancelled while other key routes, including Glasgow to Aberdeen and Edinburgh to the Fife Circle will run at a reduced frequency.
The first walkout was held on Tuesday in a dispute about driver-only-operation or DOO trains.The first walkout was held on Tuesday in a dispute about driver-only-operation or DOO trains.
This is where the driver is asked to close the doors at stations, instead of the on-board conductor. Drivers have CCTV in the cabs to check people are clear of the doors, but the unions have said this is not safe and passengers will get hurt.This is where the driver is asked to close the doors at stations, instead of the on-board conductor. Drivers have CCTV in the cabs to check people are clear of the doors, but the unions have said this is not safe and passengers will get hurt.
'Revenue protection''Revenue protection'
The RMT announced the dates of a series of six planned walkouts last week after saying a majority of its members had voted for strike action in a ballot with a 75% turnout.The RMT announced the dates of a series of six planned walkouts last week after saying a majority of its members had voted for strike action in a ballot with a 75% turnout.
The union accused ScotRail of having "no intention of engaging in serious talks" after discussions broke down at 11:00 on Monday.The union accused ScotRail of having "no intention of engaging in serious talks" after discussions broke down at 11:00 on Monday.
Their regional organiser for Scotland, Gordon Martin, said the strike was "clearly about safety".Their regional organiser for Scotland, Gordon Martin, said the strike was "clearly about safety".
He said: "ScotRail are looking to undermine the safety-critical role of the driver [and] introduce ticket examiners who are for revenue protection only.He said: "ScotRail are looking to undermine the safety-critical role of the driver [and] introduce ticket examiners who are for revenue protection only.
"They don't always run with ticket examiners on the train, whereas a train with a guard - the guard must be present."They don't always run with ticket examiners on the train, whereas a train with a guard - the guard must be present.
"You've got revenue protection, the guard opening and closing the doors, the safety of the passengers getting on and off the train and being there if people are distressed in any way. On a ticket examiner-only train, you don't have that facility.""You've got revenue protection, the guard opening and closing the doors, the safety of the passengers getting on and off the train and being there if people are distressed in any way. On a ticket examiner-only train, you don't have that facility."
'Totally unnecessary''Totally unnecessary'
However, ScotRail said they the strike was "totally unnecessary". However, ScotRail said the strike was "totally unnecessary".
In a statement posted on their website, the company said: "The RMT say we are planning on having driver-only trains. We are not.In a statement posted on their website, the company said: "The RMT say we are planning on having driver-only trains. We are not.
"We will always schedule a second person on trains to serve our customers."We will always schedule a second person on trains to serve our customers.
"They say it is about safety. It is not. Today, 59% of our customers travel on a train where the doors are safely opened and closed by the driver."They say it is about safety. It is not. Today, 59% of our customers travel on a train where the doors are safely opened and closed by the driver.
"We have guaranteed that all of our conductors will keep their job, pay and conditions."We have guaranteed that all of our conductors will keep their job, pay and conditions.
"With all this in mind - we just don't know why we are having a strike at all.""With all this in mind - we just don't know why we are having a strike at all."