Rail passengers will face further disruption on Thursday in a second round of strike action by train staff.

The industrial action is being taken by the RMT union who are locked in a dispute with ScotRail over driver-only trains.

The strike is a continuation of action that began on Tuesday and commuters are being urged to plan ahead.

ScotRail says it will still be able to run around 70% of its services as normal but insists the strikes are "totally needless" and based on misinformation.

Transport minister Humza Yousaf said: "I'm very disappointed that we're planning for a second round of industrial action when further dialogue between ScotRail and the RMT union is still an option.

"It is the travelling public that loses out in situations like this so I once again urge both parties to reopen meaningful discussions to work towards an agreement that stops further strikes from going ahead.

"I commend travellers for their efforts during the first strike earlier this week and urge them to prepare for more disruption on the railways on Thursday."

The RMT claims it has not received guarantees from ScotRail that the safety role of conductors and their role in operating train doors would not be reduced or abolished.

General secretary Mick Cash said: "The workforce know that any extension of DOO or DCO is a clear attack on our members' hard-earned terms and conditions.

"RMT members should not have to face the risk of their role and responsibilities being reduced and undermined.

"The workforce also know only too well that there is a very real threat to passengers of watering down and wiping out the safety critical role of the guard on these ScotRail services.

"That is a lethal gamble with basic rail safety."

However, ScotRail managing director Phil Verster said it was only about "who opens and closes doors on trains, nothing more".

The union will hold seven days of strikes throughout June and July.

Alternative timetables and further information on affected routes are available on the ScotRail website and passengers are being urged to check the site ahead of travelling.