the External Relations Manager of First ScotRail talked to members of the Community Council and the public about the development of train services at our station. In response to two questions I had posed, which he was unable to answer on the night, he emailed the Secretary of the Community Council with his responses.
I had first put to John Yellowlees a question about higher fares from Broughty Ferry which a constituent had raised with me. The fact is that in some instances the return fare from Dundee to Aberdeen is £4.20 cheaper than the equivalent but slightly shorter return journey to Aberdeen from Broughty Ferry. In fact when I inquired about this at the ticket office at Dundee Station, I was advised to buy a cheaper return ticket from Dundee and get on at Broughty Ferry. John Yellowlees replied:
"We have two levels of Advance fare. The lower of the two is available only on a small number of high demand flows where such deep discounting is viable. The higher level of Advance will be the same or similar for both stations." (Broughty Ferry and Dundee)
My second question was about under counting of rail users journeys to and from Broughty Ferry if they were buying tickets to and from Dundee, and the potential effect on future investment. John Yellowlees didn't answer my question but warned:
My second question was about under counting of rail users journeys to and from Broughty Ferry if they were buying tickets to and from Dundee, and the potential effect on future investment. John Yellowlees didn't answer my question but warned:
"On the risk of undercounting, if passengers use a Dundee ticket to travel from Broughty Ferry, then they are liable to purchase a new ticket as it would not be valid."
I think it's nonsense to not make Broughty Ferry fares equivalent to the best fares to and from Dundee. It is disappointing to hear that ScotRail is not committed to look into these anomalies and sort these out. Even worse we are told that passengers that follow the advice of ScotRail staff at the booking office in Dundee might be penalised and have to buy another ticket if they are caught getting on at Broughty Ferry with a ticket from Dundee. This is Alice in Wonderland stuff.
I think that ScotRail should sort this out.
On their website ScotRail claim that:
"Providing a safe and reliable service and continuous improvement to performance levels remain at the top of our agenda. We will continue to provide value for money services and to invest in train refurbishments leading to improve reliability and station enhancements to ensure a safer and more comfortable environment."
I think some of their fare paying passengers in Broughty Ferry may be doubtful about the commitment of ScotRail to live up to these bold claims.
I think it's nonsense to not make Broughty Ferry fares equivalent to the best fares to and from Dundee. It is disappointing to hear that ScotRail is not committed to look into these anomalies and sort these out. Even worse we are told that passengers that follow the advice of ScotRail staff at the booking office in Dundee might be penalised and have to buy another ticket if they are caught getting on at Broughty Ferry with a ticket from Dundee. This is Alice in Wonderland stuff.
I think that ScotRail should sort this out.
On their website ScotRail claim that:
"Providing a safe and reliable service and continuous improvement to performance levels remain at the top of our agenda. We will continue to provide value for money services and to invest in train refurbishments leading to improve reliability and station enhancements to ensure a safer and more comfortable environment."
I think some of their fare paying passengers in Broughty Ferry may be doubtful about the commitment of ScotRail to live up to these bold claims.
