A local MP has expressed his concern over ScotRail changes to Clydebank ticket offices due to come into effect next month.
Douglas McAllister, MP for West Dunbartonshire, has hit out at the travel firm after it was announced that some stations will open later and close earlier in changes that come into effect on March 31.
One of the biggest announcements was to Dalmuir station, which is currently open to midnight each night, however, after March it will close at 7pm Monday to Sunday.
"We should be encouraging people to travel by train rather than cars, and this will do nothing for our climate targets, but more significantly, ScotRail and the SNP Scottish Government have ignored the public wishes with respect to keeping the ticket offices open.
"This will detract from the safety of our local train stations. Ticket offices should remain open in the evenings when we need them most. Women and families should feel safe using our local train stations in the evening, and having them unstaffed will detract from this.
"This will not help in our efforts to tackle the problem of anti-social behaviour in the evening hours around our local train stations. I cannot understand why the SNP Government have meekly rubber-stamped Scotrail’s announcement.
"I am also incredibly disappointed that Clydebank appears to have missed out in Scotrail climb-downs in relation to ticket office closures.
"The biggest hammer blow to Clydebank is the ScotRail SNP Scottish Government announcement in relation to the ticket office closures at Dalmuir train station.
" At the moment, Dalmuir remains open every night until midnight. This is why most locals regard Dalmuir as a safe train station when returning home in the evening either from work or after a night out, with the knowledge that the ticket office is staffed. The ticket office will now close at 7.00 p.m. each night, rather than midnight.
"I have formally written to the SNP Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, demanding that she respond to the public concerns and reconsider the reduction to opening hours on safety grounds."
A representative of ScotRail says, although there are changes being made, there will be no job losses, no changes to train timetables and no ticket office closures.
Phil Campbell, ScotRail Customer Operations Director, said: “The changes that will be introduced from 31 March will provide a service that is better suited for the ticket-buying habits of our customers today, rather than 30 years ago, and will create an environment that improves safety and customer support.
“We have listened to colleagues, customers, and the trade unions throughout this process and have made changes to the proposals based on that feedback. We will now redouble our efforts to grow passenger numbers and revenue as we deliver a safe, reliable, and green railway.”
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