HUNDREDS of frustrated commuters were left fuming today as a major programme of rail works caused massive disruption.

Five stations in Glasgow's South Side were closed for a month after the collapse of mine works under the Cathcart Circle line.

Travellers were late for work as busy bus routes struggled to cope with a flood of extra passengers forced off the rails.

The work is scheduled to continue until August 17 to allow engineers to carry out £2million of safety work.

The closed stations are Pollokshields East, Queen's Park, Crosshill, Mount Florida and Cathcart.

First ScotRail promised replacement buses would operate to cut down on disruption.

However, angry passengers today hit out at First for not laying on enough buses, with many left stranded at crowded stops when overloaded buses drove past.

One Queen's Park commuter said: "It's been absolute chaos. The normal service buses are so full they are having to pass bus stops - and there's no sign of the promised replacement buses.

"I ended up having to take a taxi - and I won't be the only person late for work this morning."

But First ScotRail insisted there were no major problems.

A spokesman said: "We have put in place as comprehensive a timetable as possible to minimise the impact on our customers. It is all going to plan.

"Where a rail service cannot be operated, alternative transport has been provided and staff are on hand to help."

The rail company posted customer service advisers at the entrances to affected stations today and train passengers were allowed to use their season tickets on buses.

The company was running shuttle services but only between Pollokshields East and King's Park.

Large crowds waited on buses at stops nearer the city centre but queues were back to normal by around 9.30am.