BASED on my experiences yesterday (November 3) in travelling by rail from Milngavie to Edinburgh and return in the early evening, I observe that “ScotRail operated by Abellio” is failing to meet the needs of the passenger. My four train journeys were all late and most of the trains were over-crowded.
On payment of the hefty sum of £30.80 for an evening return journey, the train from Milngavie reached Queen Street Station five minutes late, just in time to see my planned connection of the 5.15pm train to Waverley leaving the station. Whilst waiting for the next train at platform 6 I witnessed the six-coach Alloa train departing over-loaded, with many passengers standing in the aisles and doorways.
The heavily-loaded stopping train at 5.30pm, again with standing passengers, reached Edinburgh a few minutes late. Disappointingly the compounding effect of the delays caused my late arrival by 15 minutes at a one-hour lecture in the National Galleries.
My return journey later in the evening was not much better, with the 10pm service from Edinburgh being diverted via Falkirk Grahamston and Springburn on a slow line, with the consequent arrival at Queen Street delayed by 15 minutes. There was not a hint of explanation or apology from the Abellio train manager.
Again a planned connection was missed and arrival in Milngavie was achieved some two hours after leaving Waverley. By car, this journey could comfortably have been undertaken at this time of day in one hour in seamless travel, and the fuel cost would have been less than the steamy train fare.
Could I suggest Abellio should only be charging these fulsome fares once it has consistently achieved a fully reliable service meeting the needs of the rail passengers of Scotland?
Robin M Brown,
46 Buchanan Street, Milngavie.
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