Outcry over failure to give cheap tickets to Ayrshire commuters

Nov 20 2009 by Cheryl Mcevoy, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

HUNDREDS of commuters still face high rail fares after a move to cut their costs was dismissed.

Rail chiefs refused to introduce theScotRail Flexipass scheme on the busy Ayr to Glasgow line, insisting it won’t be a good use of their cash.

The decision comes after pressure was put on the company to introduce the scheme, which could save regular passengers a substantial amount of cash.

Ayr MSP John Scott is disappointed by the decision.

He said: “I have been in contact with ScotRail over this matter for some time now and I am far less satisfied with their response.

“Nevertheless, I intend to continue to pursue this matter in the hopes of convincing them to change their mind and to agree to introduce the Flexipass which I am certain would be of considerable benefit to rail commuters from Troon, Prestwick, Ayr and further afield.”

ScotRail’s managing director Steve Montgomery says introducing the scheme on the Ayr to Glasgow Central line – one of the most congested in Scotland – could result in a misuse of services.

He explained: “Whilst the majority of our Flexipass customers use the product correctly, recent exercises by our fraud and security team have uncovered unacceptable levels of misuse of these tickets.

“We are therefore working to reduce this and until such a time as we are satisfied that the correct safeguards are in place we will not be expanding the range of the Flexipass tickets.”