Dumfriesshire’s Nith Valley line has avoided service cuts next month as ScotRail struggles with employee absences due to Covid.
The company has been forced to introduce a temporary January timetable elsewhere as a result of staff shortages.
But normal train services on the route from Carlisle to Dumfries, Sanquhar, Kilmarnock and Glasgow are expected to continue.
However, services from Stranraer to Glasgow via Ayr, will see some disruption.
There will be changes to train times on the route and the withdrawal of some services as part of the new timetable.
On Wednesday, ScotRail communications director, David Ross, said 320 staff were currently absent, including more than 100 drivers and about 60 conductors, which was causing “significant disruption” to the rail network.
The situation has prompted ScotRail to introduce the new temporary timetable from Tuesday, January 4, to Friday, January 28 – operating Monday to Friday – and to urge passengers to check services before they travel.
A spokesman for the operator said: “The rapid spread of the Covid-19 Omicron variant has resulted in a large number of absences at ScotRail, with colleagues testing positive, awaiting results, or having to self-isolate.
“This means that several services have been changed or even cancelled, in recent weeks.
“To avoid further last-minute changes and provide a greater level of certainty to our customers, a temporary timetable will come into effect.
Normal service will only apply on the following routes: Glasgow – Barrhead, Kilmarnock and Carlisle; Glasgow – Paisley Canal; Glasgow – Edinburgh via Falkirk High; Edinburgh and Glasgow – Dundee/Arbroath/Aberdeen; Edinburgh and Glasgow – Inverness; Inverness – Inverurie/Aberdeen/Montrose; North Highlands; West Highlands.
A full list of the changes can be found on the ScotRail website.
