ScotRail has announced that extra compensation will be offered to season ticket holders as it apologised for falling performance levels.

The operator has been criticised over a number of cancellations following the introduction of a new timetable.

Conductors and drivers being trained on new trains and routes has been blamed as a major reason for the disruption, with training expected to continue into February. Compensation is already available to passengers who are delayed by more than 30 minutes under ScotRail’s Delay Repay Guarantee - with half of the cost of a single ticket or a quarter of the cost of a return ticket paid back.

Extra compensation will apply to season ticket holders who use routes that have been most affected by cancellations.

Alex Hynes, ScotRail Alliance managing director, admitted the operator has fallen below the standards expected.

“We are very sorry to our ScotRail customers for unacceptable service in parts of the country,” said Mr Hynes. “While our teams work hard every day to deliver the service you demand, we’ve fallen below the standard you expect and deserve.”