Stranraer train commuters are to be given special fares
The line reopened in July after a fire at the Ayr Station Hotel last year.
ScotRail has confirmed that Stranraer train users will be given a discounted rate but only when they have a full service running so customers “can take advantage”.
The public had to deal with many failed attempts to reopen after its closure in September when the Ayr Station Hotel was set on fire, leaving many residents feeling “angry” and “forgotten about”.
MSP Finlay Carson says he is happy with the news as commuters went seven months without a train service.
“I am delighted that ScotRail has seen sense and will offer customers special fares as I think it is only right as they have waited patiently for some time now to see rail services returned.
“I wrote to the rail operator as well as the First Minister John Swinney pressing them to do something for the rail commuters who have been affected by the arson attack at Ayr Station Hotel last year.”
Despite the good news on the confirmation of the fares, he is still feeling ‘disappointed’ that the special fares didn’t come into place when the line resumed a part-time service in July.
“It is just unfortunate that it may take a little longer as a result of a temporary timetable being introduced last month as a direct result of industrial action by the drivers.”
ScotRail wrote to Carson saying: “Please be assured that we will be running an offer for Stranraer customers, our retail and marketing teams have been working on the details.
“The offer was originally going to be introduced when the full Stranraer timetable was operational in July but, as you will know, we introduced a temporary timetable on Wednesday, 10 July which, unfortunately, means that we haven’t been able to implement the full Stranraer timetable.
“Unfortunately, with the temporary timetable being linked to the current shortage of train drivers we are experiencing as a result of fewer drivers than normal being available for overtime or rest day working, as is their contractual right as a result of a dispute over pay, we are unable to confirm when our full timetable will be reintroduced.”
A ScotRail spokesperson says that they are “working to resolve this pay dispute as soon as possible.
“We want to ensure that customers in Stranraer have the greatest opportunity to take advantage of the offer so it will go live as soon as the full timetable is reintroduced.”