To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with ScotRail regarding the operation of a reduced train timetable. (S6O-03765)

Transport Scotland holds regular discussions with Scottish Rail Holdings and ScotRail Trains Ltd about a number of issues, including ScotRail’s timetable. I am pleased that, like those in other rail unions, Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen members have voted to accept ScotRail’s pay offer. ScotRail is expected to replace its current temporary timetable as soon as possible.

I know that the cabinet secretary will share my and my constituents’ relief that the dispute has now been settled and that our train drivers will be getting back to providing passengers with a fuller ScotRail timetable. Will she ensure that ScotRail circulates information about reinstated services as quickly as possible, so that the travelling public are aware of how Scotland’s publicly owned railway will meet their needs?

I will. Obviously, ScotRail needs to do some initial planning to reintroduce the timetable. I will impress on ScotRail the desire of MSPs to understand that and to be communicated with.

I take the opportunity to remind members that I have written to every single member of the Parliament with information about their region and the new discounted fares that will start from Monday and will benefit their constituents. I ask them to help to publicise that and ScotRail’s communication of the new discounted fares, as well as the new timetable when it is released.

A Transport Focus survey shows that satisfaction with the frequency of ScotRail trains is in the bottom half of levels across the United Kingdom. I hope that that will improve. The cabinet secretary says that she wants the timetable to be reinstated “as soon as possible”. What does she mean by that? Can she be more specific?

In the next week or so.