| The MP has been contacted by constituents complaining the station does not have the machines, despite adverts to the contrary on the website of National Express.
Mr McGovern said, “This is unacceptable and leads to long and unnecessary queues, through no fault of the staff. A machine would not only make collecting tickets more efficient, it is needed in Dundee to reduce the ever-increasing queues at the ticket windows.”
Mr McGovern has written to Mary Dickson, Managing Director of First ScotRail, on the matter, but has not had an answer. He criticised the delay in responding, calling it “not only frustrating, but disappointing”.
He added, “It is unfair and misleading to advertise FastTicket, only to arrive at the station and be faced with no machine and a queue.”
Dundee Station bosses said there is a FirstScotRail ticket machine at the station, which can be used to purchase tickets for that day only and is primarily for use when the ticket office closes at 8pm.
FirstScotRail’s website states there are “self-service ticket machines” in operation, whereas the National Express site says there are “self-service FastTicket” machines at the station. However, FastTicket machines are distinct from the ticket vendors in that they have an online link to a central database, which allows them to vend pre-booked tickets and tickets in advance.
A FirstScotrail spokesman said, “Dundee station will have a FastTicket facility installed by the end of March. The station also has seven ticket windows and all can be used to collect tickets which have been booked in advance.”
First ScotRail said its vending machines will be upgraded to the UK-wide National Ticket on Departure System, which all train operators must sign up to in order to electronically vend tickets.
Dundee Station’s lack of FastTicket facilities has already caused upset with economic development convener Joe Morrow complaining about the lack of booking facilities for the new Eurostar link at London St Pancras.
Eurostar cited the lack of FastTicket facilities as the reason for the exclusion, claiming the facility was a “technical requirement” for all Eurostar booking stations. However, First ScotRail was unable to confirm whether the Nods upgrade will lead to Eurostar booking facilities at Dundee and referred all enquiries to Eurostar. Eurostar and National Express were unavailable for comment before press time. |
