Gleneagles is second class!
Passengers travelling from revamped Gleneagles Station are being treated like second-class citizens when compared to counterparts in Dunblane, it has been claimed.
Crieff and Upper Strathearn Partnership (CUSP) has been working in the background for years as part of an ongoing effort to improve transport links and fares for rail users who wish to use the transport hub.
Members of CUSP’s traffic and transport group met ScotRail representatives JohnYellowlees and Lindley Kirkpatrick at the station.
And although the group praised last year’s refurbishment ahead of last September’s Ryder Cup it feel it is under-used because of the lack of trains that stop there and a rail fare structure almost twice as expensive as that of near neighbour, Dunblane.
A spokesperson for CUSP said:“The taxpayer has made a sizeable investment in Gleneagles Station. It seems ludicrous that it is under-used.
“This would seem to be due largely to the high fare structure and the poor level of services at certain times .”
CUSP has asked Scotrail to consider provision of an earlier morning off-peak service from Gleneagles to the Central Belt; provision of a mid-afternoon off-peak service from Glasgow to Gleneagles; provision of a ticket vending machine and fares to be made on a par with those operating from Dunblane.
The CUSP spokesperson added: “Passengers travelling from Dunblane to the Central Belt enjoy regular, frequent services and competitive fares.We ask that locals are given parity with those of the Dunblane and Stirling area. Many people state that they would use Gleneagles rather than Dunblane if services were improved and fares reduced.”
Ryder Cup team captains Tom Watson and Paul McGinley unveil a commemerative plaque at Gleneagles Station
A ScotRail spokesman said :“We believe our fares linking Gleneagles with Glasgow and Edinburgh offer good value to the thousands of customers who travel on this route.
“We . will continue to work closely with community and passenger groups, including Crieff and Upper Strathearn Partnership, to further improve Gleneagles trains, timetables and facilities in future.
“This includes inviting local residents or businesses to contact us about potentially new uses for vacant rooms at the station that can benefit the local community and passengers.”