ScotRail has confirmed that there will be no trains on throughout Ayrshire on the last Saturday of this month.

October 29 will mark the second day of strike action by ScotRail general grades RMT members, following industrial action on Monday, 10 October.

It is the result of the trade union’s rejection of an improved pay offer made by ScotRail.

For ScotRail customers, this means a very limited number of services will operate on a limited number of routes, with no trains at all on the Ayrshire lines.

It leaves many rugby fans having to seek alternative arrangements if they plan to attend Scotland’s first autumn international match against Australia next weekend.

While ScotRail will be running a limited service from Milngavie to Edinburgh Waverley (via Glasgow Queen Street low level) - this will only operate until 6.30pm, with the match kicking off in Edinburgh at 5.30pm.

More than 2,000 ScotRail employees are members of the RMT, including in roles such as conductors, ticket examiners, hospitality, station staff (including train dispatch), engineering depot staff, train presentation, supervisors, resource co-ordinators, and CCTV operators – though not all employees in these roles are trade union members.

ScotRail members of the RMT’s general grades are also currently taking part in an overtime and rest day working ban as part of action short of a strike.

This has seen some daily cancellations across the ScotRail network since Friday, 14 October, as the train operator requires rest day working and overtime while recruitment continues.

While strike action may not be limited to only this day moving forward.

Earlier this week, Network Rail members of the RMT trade union announced they will take part in 24-hour strike action on Thursday, November 3, Saturday, November 5, and Monday, November 7.

This dispute does not involve ScotRail staff, however it will have a major knock-on effect on the train operator’s ability to provide services as the RMT planned action will involve Network Rail staff in Scotland.

ScotRail are now assessing the impact this will have its services and will updated customer as soon as possible.

David Simpson, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, said: “We’re really disappointed that the dispute with the RMT remains ongoing, given the strength of the improved pay offer ScotRail made.  

“Further strike action has a damaging effect on railway’s recovery at a time when we should be encouraging more people to travel. Instead, our customers are being severely impacted and our staff losing out through lost wages.  

“Regrettably, we won’t be able to operate the vast majority of our services on Saturday, October 29, and customers should expect significant disruption to services due to the large proportion of ScotRail staff who are members of the RMT trade union. 

“We’re advising customers, including rugby fans intending to travelling to Scotland’s first autumn international at Murrayfield, to seek alternative means of transport and to only travel by train if they really need to. 

“We remain open to resolving this dispute.”

For more information on how strike action will impact ScotRail services, including ScotRail’s refund policy, visit the ScotRail website at www.scotrail.co.uk/strike.