ScotRail have issued an apology following a series of delays, cancellations and poor performance on the rail network.

Managing Director Alex Hynes issued a statement that acknowledged recent issues with services, and directed customers to claim compensation.

The statement read: "We are very sorry to our ScotRail customers for unacceptable service in parts of the country recently.

"While our teams work hard every day to deliver the service you demand, the reality is we’ve fallen below the standard you expect and deserve."

The statement went on to claim that daily services faced disruptuion to allow drivers and conducters to be trained on new trains and routes. They also laid blame on the RMT trade union for instigating an overtime and rest day ban.

READ MORE: Glasgow Central protest aims to end ScotRail privatisation

Hynes continued: "We are working flat out to train conductors and drivers on Scotland’s railway so that we can return services to normal. Since 9 December we have trained 70 drivers and conductors, so we have made progress, but we know we need to do more.

"We are training more than 20 drivers and conductors every day throughout January and February to return your service to levels you deserve. We have seen the level of cancellations reduce steadily over the last few weeks. We will continue to cut cancellations to improve your service. We expect week on week improvement through January and February to get your service back to normal levels."

Compensation is being offered for anyone delayed by more than 30 minutes. Season ticket holders affected by cancellations are also being offered free travel on select weekends. More information can be found at www.scotrail.co.uk/compensation.

Meanwhile, protesters are calling for ScotRail to be brought into public ownership at Glasgow Central today.

The demonstration, organised by the TSSA rail union, is also demanding that the franchise’s operator Abellio be stripped of its contract.

Organisers say it’s time for the Scottish Government to take action after months of delays and cancellations to trains in Scotland.