ScotRail has reportedly been hit by a network outage, affecting both its ticketing and payment systems at major stations, including those across Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Passengers say they have been left unable to pay by card, purchase some tickets, or even check their journeys online, with information screens appearing blank earlier this morning (20 August).

The IT issues are also spreading to the ScotRail app, with customers reporting issues buying tickets and being met with a warning stating: “Customer information screens and live departure boards may be showing inaccurately at ScotRail stations.”

Alan Manclark, ScotRail’s head of IT, said: “We’re aware of an issue being experienced by our internet service provider, which is affecting connectivity at a small number of locations across the country, including Edinburgh Waverley, Glasgow Central, and Glasgow Queen Street.

“Our supplier is working hard to resolve the issue, and we’re sorry to customers for the inconvenience while we await a fix.”

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This is possibly the worst time of the year for ScotRail to experience a widespread outage, with the tourist season and Edinburgh’s festivals in full swing.

Last week, ScotRail said that it had seen a 19% spike in passenger numbers compared to the same time last year, with almost two million people travelling by rail over the course of one week.