More misery is on the way for Scottish train users tomorrow when RMT members at Network Rail take fresh strike action across Britain.
The north-east will be particularly badly hit as ScotRail has announced that it will only be running five services - all of them in the central belt.
Firms, commuters and other travellers will all be left counting the cost of north-east trains coming to a halt for a second time in just a month.
Previous action by the RMT union in June left the area effectively cut off from rail services.
North-east businesses are angry that ScotRail is not running any trains to or from the north-east tomorrow.
Fergus Mutch, policy adviser at Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said "If ScotRail has capacity to operate a skeleton service, it's not good enough for this to be just in the Central Belt.
"We want at least a.m. and p.m. lifeline services to Aberdeen while strikes are ongoing."
More bad news for business
Fergus added that rail strikes were more bad news for business following two years of pandemic restrictions and disruption - and this summer's disputes further delay full economic recovery.
Around 40,000 RMT members across Britain are to walk out tomorrow and also on August 18 and 20.
ScotRail said: "The planned strikes on those three days will cause disruption to ScotRail services, as Network Rail Scotland signallers and maintenance staff, who are in safety-critical roles, will be on strike."
The train operator added that there will be also disruption this evening and on Thursday morning caused by the closing and reopening of signal boxes at different times across the country.
The walkout by staff at Network Rail and 14 train-operating firms is part of a continuing row over pay, jobs, and terms and conditions.
The dispute does not involve ScotRail staff, but will mean a major reduction in services.
It follows a similar strike last month which saw rail services severely disrupted across three days.
Disruption is unfortunate
David Simpson, ScotRail's service delivery director, said the prospect of widespread disruption was very unfortunate and frustrating for ScotRail customers.
He told the BBC: "Regrettably, this strike action by RMT members of Network Rail means that we will not be able to operate the vast majority of our services during the period of strike action. Customers should expect significant disruption to services on strike days, as well as the following day.
"On the five routes where we are able to operate a very limited service on strike days, we're advising customers to seek alternative means of transport and to only travel if they really need to."
The dispute centres around whether workers, including guards, signallers, catering staff and cleaners, will receive pay rises to keep up with the sharply-rising cost of living.
But the union has also highlighted proposed changes to pension schemes, working practices, and what it says is insufficient general funding for the transport system.
During the pandemic, many workers adapted to working from home for at least part of their working week, reducing demand for rail services. The rail industry says working practices need to be updated to save money in the light of these new habits.
Tim Shoveller, Network Rail's lead negotiator, said the RMT had walked away from "ongoing and constructive talks".