The Friends of the Far North Line
Cairdean Na Loine Tuath
the campaign group for rail north of
Inverness - lobbying for improved services for the local user, tourist and freight
operator
Thank you for organising a most interesting AGM.
I was disappointed that my question to Chris Gibb about the lack of timetable displays on station platforms was more sidestepped than answered.
His reply majored on the perceived waste engendered by excess printed pocket timetables having to be thrown away. However, we are still left wondering why passengers cannot be given the courtesy, and reassurance, of timetable posters?
These give arrival times at the desired destination as well as scheduled departures for different times of the day so that passengers may also plan ahead for future journeys if they wish.
Richard Ardern
This raises the general issue of passenger information, which is one of ScotRail's most important duties. Although all information is always available on their website there are many reasons why this is not always an option.
There is no substitute for up-to-date timetable posters on stations, since these contain all the relevant information in an easy-to-read format. Not all passengers have access to a working mobile phone at all times.
On the question of pocket timetables, we understand that ticket offices are able to print timetables on demand, which could prove very useful.
ScotRail has introduced another difficulty to timetable users since the pandemic - up until then all timetables showed relevant connections with neighbouring routes (see below) so that if, for example, one were trying to schedule an event to which people would be travelling by train it was easy to see what time they would have to leave Edinburgh, Glasgow or Aberdeen to catch a particular train. This exercise, once achieved at a glance (see below), now requires using the ScotRail app and entering a series of possible scenarios - something which takes minutes instead of seconds.
It is very tempting, because of the cost savings in terms of staffing and paper, for ScotRail to assume that electronic formats can completely supplant traditional dissemination methods. If this process is taken to its logical conclusion ScotRail will no longer be meeting its obligations to make train information available to all.
