Published: Wednesday, 4th June, 2008 12:00
Just the ticket for passengers
By Nicola Findlay
Comments (0)
Print Article
Scotrail plan to install a ticket machine at Alloa Station.
SCOTRAIL has finally got its act together by confirming the installation of a ticket machine at Alloa station within the next three weeks.
As previously reported in the Advertiser, passengers were forced to queue for up to 20 minutes at Stirling station as they were unable to buy a ticket from the conductor during the eight and a half minute journey.
During the first week more then 8000 passengers travelled on the new Alloa to Stirling line and ScotRail was criticised for not having adequate ticketing facilities in place.
Until the ticket machine is installed there will be extra Scot Rail personnel deployed at Stirling to stop large queues building up.
And on Saturday there were also extra staff at Alloa station selling tickets to passengers.
Gordon Banks MP has welcomed the decision by ScotRail to install a ticket machine.
He said, “I was made aware of the problems encountered over the weekend when people were having to queue at Stirling for up to 20 minutes to retrospectively purchase a ticket for their travel from Alloa to Stirling.
“I contacted ScotRail to make them aware of this and have received assurances that this will be dealt with.
“ScotRail conceded this was an oversight on their behalf and were overwhelmed by the usage of the service with over 8500 thousand people using the service in the first two weeks.
“As well as making a commitment to supply a ticket machine at Alloa within the next three weeks they also made a commitment to supply extra staff at Stirling to cope with the demand in the intervening period.
“I was pleased to learn of the figures relating to those using the new service and have urged ScotRail to have the ticket machine in place as quickly as possible and to make sure the extra staff is in place at Stirling in the intervening period as people will not use the service if they are continually faced with queuing for 20 minutes to purchase a ticket.”
Ochil MSP Keith Brown has also welcomed the announcement but believes that adequate ticketing facilities should have been in place before Alloa station opened.
“I am delighted that ScotRail are finally installing a ticket machine but I just wish they had done it earlier,” he said.
“The SNP said three or four years ago that Alloa should have been a larger station which was staffed.
“We thought that the train service would be popular and we have been proved right.
“It’s a pity it has taken until now for ScotRail to do something as it is the only blot on an otherwise fantastic service and the ticket machine will hopefully make the service more convenient for passengers.
“I was on the first train from Alloa and I couldn’t get a ticket and had to wait at Stirling.
“The train wasn’t full by any means but the conductor just didn’t have long enough to get round everyone and it was obvious that they were going to struggle.”
The Earl of Mar and Kellie, who is a transport spokesman in the House of Lords, has also criticised ScotRail for being caught out by the number of passengers travelling on the new line.
“Given the number of people who have used the train to and from Alloa so far it is as well that ScotRail have announced a dramatic improvement to ticketing in Alloa,” he said.
“Provided that these words become actions, ScotRail ought to be forgiven for being caught out at first.”
A spokesman for ScotRail added, “We pledged to resolve ticketing issues and this is the result.
“It is good news that so many people want to use the service and underpins the growing demand for rail travel.”
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
Care home failed our dad