Published: Wednesday, 1st October, 2008 12:30
Commuters hit out at timetable changes
By Jamie MacDonald
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Trains from Alloa are now running at different times following changes to the timetable.
Pic by: Jan van der Merwe
TRAIN services in and out of Alloa Station are running up to five minutes earlier following amendments made to the timetable.
Changes made to the timetable by First ScotRail came into effect on Monday and several trains are now leaving several minutes earlier than previously.
But some commuters have hit out at the lack of publicity given to the changes, claiming it has been difficult to get hold of new copies of the timetable.
One train traveller wrote on the Advertiser’s website to complain that she had experienced difficulties obtaining the new timetable, adding that it was not available online until Wednesday 24 September.
Hazel Kaye wrote, “I had to ask for a revised (SPT North East) copy at Queen Street and no Scotrail Central Scotland timetables booklets were available.
“Five days notice of changes on a Glasgow holiday weekend may result in some passengers missing their intended train by the three to five minutes difference in the timetable on return to work, school, college etc – especially when they are ‘obliged’ to have purchased a ticket from the machine at Alloa before travelling.”
First ScotRail say the amendments have been made due to changes in the freight service running along the line to Longannet Power Station.
They claim the moves will provide increased punctuality as a result of less congestion on the line.
Some services to and from Alloa will depart up to five minutes earlier, others will leave a few minutes later. The majority of changes occur outside of peak times.
Changes include the 10.41 Alloa to Glasgow Queen Street which will now leave at 10.38, the 13.41 Alloa to Glasgow Queens Street will now depart at 13.36, and the 16.18 Glasgow Queen Street to Alloa which will now arrive at 17.19 instead of 17.17.
Sunday train times remain the same.
The new timetable is available in full from First ScotRail’s website and staffed rail stations – but that does not include Alloa Station.
Peter Williams, commercial director at First ScotRail, said, “Whilst the timetable changes are minimal, some trains will now depart earlier and we are therefore keen to ensure that our customers are fully informed so they can arrive in time to catch their usual service.”
On Monday at Alloa Station there was a poster advising changes had been made to the timetable but there were no obvious signs detailing what the actual changes were.
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