A KEY train service through Inverclyde will be derailed from tomorrow as part of a shake-up by rail bosses.

New ScotRail operators Abellio have pulled the plug on the Wemyss Bay to Glasgow Central route on Sundays, blaming a shortage of drivers.

Instead customers heading to the village and stations including Inverkip will have to catch the Gourock train from the city centre and then get off at Greenock Central for a replacement bus to their destination.

A bus will also be running for passengers heading from Wemyss Bay to Glasgow Central.

But ScotRail have cut out the Whinhill station stop completely on a Sunday — and customers are instead being advised to depart at Greenock Central or Cartsdyke.

The Gourock line is unaffected and ScotRail say replacement buses on the Wemyss Bay line will be timed to connect with ferries.

The company is blaming a driver shortage for the changes but the announcement has caused anger, including from Provost Robert Moran, who labelled it ‘frankly ridiculous’.

Councillor Moran, whose ward takes in Whinhill Railway Station, said: “I’m appalled to hear this.

“Whinhill is popular obviously for the people who live here but more importantly when we are trying to open the area up to tourism that’s one of the stops people get off for the Cut walk, which is the fifth most popular in Scotland and attracts a lot of people.

“It’s quite scandalous really. It’s ridiculous that my constituents and the people of Inverclyde can’t get off the train on a Sunday — it’s a nonsense.

“Maybe a reduced service, but to have none is unacceptable from my point of view.” It is unclear how long the changes will be in place but ScotRail chiefs say they are in discussions with drivers and unions to reach a deal to make Sundays ‘part of the working week’.

Phil Verster, managing director of the ScotRail Alliance, said: “We have inherited a business that runs a seven-day railway with a system of staff rostering that covers only six days.

“Our customers want the same level of service right throughout the week, so we have to make changes and improve our railway.

“We cannot expect our train drivers to volunteer for so many Sundays when our rosters should reflect a modern, seven-day railway for Scotland.

“We have made an offer to our train drivers that would see them get more pay, have less weekend working and have a better work/life balance.

“Our further commitment to employ up to 100 new train drivers will make our Sunday services robust.

“I sincerely hope we can reach an agreement with our train drivers and our unions on this proposal.” A 3.7 per cent pay offer has been tabled by the company to make Sundays part of the working week.

Mr Verster said: “We do not want to reduce the number of services on a Sunday or any other day.

“It is not a decision that we take lightly, but we must be able to give our customers certainty about which services will be running and which ones won’t.

“We really want to get the situation resolved and we remain open to discussing our proposals and options with our unions.” But Provost Moran fears it could have a wider impact on Inverclyde and the council’s repopulation efforts.

Mr Moran said: “One of the big selling points we have to try and get people to come here is we have a fantastic rail network.

“To stop it on a Sunday is quite frankly ridiculous.”