Inverness train stopped in Perth due to ‘staff shortages’

ScotRail is calling today’s delay on the Highland Main Line a “minor disruption”.

Passengers trying to get on and off the street from Glasgow are reportedly being putty differently after being escorted off a train in Perth.

“They were all removed because there simply weren’t enough staff to continue the journey!” Dalwhinney Community Council Chair Jen Dickinson says.

“A friend who is coming told me she will have to wait at the station just after 9pm to catch the next train, which will apparently stop at Dalwhinnie at 10.10pm!

“They may have extended her schedule to normal, but they can’t provide the service that passengers are paying for!

“My friend is capable and mobile, so it’s not the end of the world, but if she were older, frail or more, it would just be bad – without having to get on and off trains and wait for an hour in the cold.

“However, she’s just returned from overseas (long trip) so she’s a bit jetlagged and doesn’t need this UK and all its broken services!”

Ms Dickinson just told Strathy: “The next train is delayed because the driver needs a break because the next train is delayed too!”

She added: “Apparently this is all very awkward! I think that since there were no seats, people took first class seats… they tried to push them out, but the passengers stood their ground.

“The thing is, I don’t think this is a rare event…”

A ScotRail spokesman announced three different services this evening.

There was minor disruption on the Inverness to Glasgow Queen Street route at 5.26pm: “This is due to a shortage of train crews. Meals are not available throughout the property. Sorry, this train has fewer cars than usual.”

The 5.33pm Edinburgh to Inverness service, due to arrive in the Highland capital at 9.23pm: “Train crew shortage. Sorry, this train has fewer cars than usual.”

The 19:07 Glasgow Queen Street to Inverness train leaves at 22:43: “This train stops at Perth. It will no longer call at Dunkeld and Birnam, Pitlochry, Dalwhinnie, Kingassie, Aviemore and Inverness. This is due to a malfunction of the alarm system.”

More on this as the details become clearer.

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