SCOTRAIL bosses have caused a stink by hiking toilet charges at their stations — after vowing to scrap them.
The under-fire operator has raised fees from 30p to 50p at four sites, six months after saying it was “looking to withdraw” the levy.
Raymond Martin, managing director of loo campaign group the British Toilet Association, today branded the increases at Glasgow Queen Street, Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William “a backwards step”.
He said: “It’s a bit strange because increasing the charges is not going to help them in any shape or form.
ScotRail forced to cancel services towards Oban as severe flooding hits Loch Lomond area
“But it could have a negative effect on tourism and we’d encourage them to look at it again.”
In January, ScotRail said it planned to follow Network Rail and bin charges at UK stations including Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central.
But it is instead increasing fees to meet rising costs like staffing and cleaning.
British Transport Police also warned that making toilets free could cause a spike in anti- social behaviour.
Aberdeen Central MSP Kevin Stewart, who led the fight to get the charges dropped, said yesterday: “I’m appalled.
“The fact that ScotRail is now committed to retaining their levy at an even greater cost to the public is an utter disgrace.”
ScotRail said: “After carrying out safety assessments, gaining feedback from industry partners and assessing long-term costs, it was established removing charges was not a viable option.”
Most read in News
Yesterday, ScotRail services between Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth faced major rush hour disruption because of a signalling fault in Perth.
It came a day after all trains to Oban were cancelled after severe flooding on the line.
Heavy rainfall had submerged the track between Tyndrum and Dalmally.
We pay for your stories and videos! Do you have a story or video for The Scottish Sun? Email us at scoop@thesun.co.uk or call 0141 420 5200