Published: Wednesday, 28th May, 2008 12:00
Train to Stirling is just the ticket...if you can get one
By Nicola Findlay
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Train services from Alloa Station to Stirling are popular – but problems with the issuing of tickets could put people off.
Pic by: Jan van der Merwe
THE success of the new train services from Alloa to Stirling has caused chaos for passengers who haven’t been able to buy a ticket.
Ever since the new Alloa station opened two weeks ago, many of the trains to Stirling have been full – with the conductor on board unable to sell a ticket to everyone before they reach their destination.
This has resulted in large queues forming at Stirling station, with passengers having to wait up to 20 minutes or more to buy a ticket before they are able to pass through the barriers.
Now disgrunted travellers have told First ScotRail to sort it out before the ticket fiasco deters people from using the train.
Among those caught up in the chaos has been The Earl of Mar and Kellie.
He has used the train extensively since services resumed. Although he is pleased that the service is popular, he believes First ScotRail needs to tackle the ticketing problem to secure Alloa station’s long-term success.
He told the Advertiser, “It is extremely pleasing that so many people are using the train, but I think ScotRail has been caught unawares by its success and I just hope the people who travel on the train will forgive them.
“A lot of the trains I have been on so far have been full and as there is no ticket issuing facility at Alloa the only way to get a ticket is to buy one from the conductor.
“However, there is no way that everyone on the train can buy a ticket in the eight and a half minutes or so it takes to get to Stirling.
“On Saturday morning the train from Alloa to Glasgow was full. Around 80 passengers travelled to Stirling and had to queue for 15 minutes or more because Stirling Station was simply overwhelmed.”
Another passenger, Archie McGirr, also endured delays at Stirling station.
He said, “I took the 10.41 on Saturday from Alloa to Stirling with my young son.
“The train was punctual and clean, and there was easy access, which was great.
“Not so great was having to queue behind over 50 people at Stirling to buy a return ticket before we could exit the station, which took over 20 minutes.
“On a 10 minute journey the train conductor could not possibly handle the volume of passengers for ticket sales.
“Why are there no ticket machines at Alloa Station or ScotRail personnel on hand with mobile ticket dispensers at peak times?
“This is the type of situation that drove people away from public transport and into cars in the 1960s and we know what happened to Alloa station then.”
First Scotrail says it is looking to address the problems with the issuing of tickets to avoid queues at Stirling station in the future.
A spokesman said, “It is good news that so many people want to use the service and underpins the growing demand for rail travel.
“It is encouraging more people to use public transport and reducing distances travelled by car, which is good news for the environment as trains are less carbon intensive.
“We are aware that the demand has resulted in ticketing issues – and you can be assured we are looking to resolve these for the benefit of our many new customers.”
First ScotRail suggested that people who make regular trips between Alloa and Stirling, or Alloa and Glasgow, could buy tickets in advance of the day of travel from either Stirling or Glasgow stations.
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