Commuters hit out at ticket queues at Glasgow Central

Passengers called for more staff to be placed at stations to deal with the influx of travellers who arrive at Glasgow Central on busy rush-hour services.

Rail passengers can buy a ticket before they board a train, however they are often travelling from stations where there is no manned ticket office.

Train conductors sell tickets to customers on trains but when services are busy they often do not get round to everyone.

Jill Mcalindon took to Twitter to vent about being held up at the ticket barriers because of this issue.

She said: "Absolutely ridiculous queue for a ticket in Glasgow Central and two people selling tickets at Monday rush hour!"

Scotrail said they had installed an extra ticket booth to ease the flow through the station at busy times.

A ScotRail spokesman said: "We've installed an additional ticket booth at Glasgow Central to assist customers who arrive without tickets and need to buy them on arrival.

"We encourage all customers to buy tickets, or renew season tickets, before they board. Doing so will help make their journey run smoother, faster and may also be cheaper."

Network Rail announced in 2011 that it was to spend £5.7million on automated ticket gates at Glasgow Central.

The move was to crack down on fare dodgers.

Only passengers with a valid ticket are able to access platforms to catch their train. The gates have been installed at both Central's low and high level platforms as well as Anderston, Argyle Street and Charing Cross stations.

At the time ScotRail managing director Steve Montgomery said: "Revenue protection and reducing ticketless travel have always been priorities for us because it is honest, fare-paying passengers who bear the burden in lost investment in Scotland's railway.

"Ticket gates, which are part of our franchise agreement, are also proven to discourage anti-social behaviour and improve station security."

Independent watchdog Passenger Focus backed the move, saying it would benefit travellers.