With Scotland's rugby clash with Australia only days away, major travel disruption is expected due to ScotRail strike action taking place on the day of the match.

The RMT trade union announced that it will carry out strike action throughout October and November.

ScotRail says that the number of train services on Saturday will be extremely limited between the times of 7.30 am and 6.30 pm.

The train operator added that there will be a "very limited number of ScotRail trains to Haymarket before the match, and there will be no ScotRail trains departing Haymarket after the final whistle."

The ScotRail train services in operation on October 29, 2023

On October 29, ScotRail confirms it will only operate a limited service between 7.30 am and 6.30 pm on the following three routes:

  • Milngavie – Edinburgh Waverley via Glasgow Queen Street Low Level (half-hourly service).
  • Glasgow Central – Lanark (hourly service).
  • Glasgow Central – Larkhall (hourly service).

Why is there a limited ScotRail train service on Saturday, October 29?

Because of strike action being carried out by RMT due to a dispute over pay and working conditions amid the cost of the living crisis, ScotRail says they have a shortage of contingency staff required to cover the shifts of those picketing.

The train company warned: "For the routes which will operate a service, customers should only travel if they really need to and should consider alternative options where possible."

How can I travel to the Australia v Scotland rugby match at BT Murrayfield on October 29?

While trains will largely not be in operation, fans can travel from Glasgow Queen Street (and stations in between) to Edinburgh Waverly before making the 45-minute walk to the game.

Alternatively, fans can travel to Edinburgh via coach and bus with all Lothian services accepting contactless payments.

To find out more, please visit the Lothian bus website here, or have look at the times from cross-country bus companies like Megabus and Stagecoach.

Edinburgh also operates a tram system that runs from Edinburgh airport to the city centre and stops at Murrayfield. However, tickets must be purchased before boarding the tram on the Transport for Edinburgh App or the Edinburgh Trams website here.

Australia v Scotland at BT Murrayfield on October 29

The Scottish and Australian national rugby teams are facing off as part of the Autumn Internationals test matches.

This is the first of the four Autumn Internationals to be played by Scotland in 2022.

Both nations have played each other on 33 occasions since their first meet in 1927, Australia have won 21 of these while Scotland won 12.