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Teething problems for Borders Railway

There have been several problems with the first services running from the new Borders Railway, including delays and overcrowding.

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ScotRail working to fix ticket machine issues

ScotRail has responded to criticism of the first Borders Railway services. Credit: Danny Lawson/PA Wire/Press Association Images

ScotRail says it has put on extra carriages and buses to deal with the demand for services on the new Borders Railway.

The company says delays have been caused by a range of factors, including a train failure, signal problems and heavy passenger loadings:

It's been a momentous week for the Borders, with trains returning to the area for the first time in almost 50 years.

Thousands of people have flocked to use the new line and - despite extra carriages being added to many trains - it has been particularly busy on board some services, as expected.

At times this has caused delays while these unusually large numbers of customers board and alight. We are aware of the ticket machine issues and are getting these fixed as soon as possible."

– ScotRail spokesperson

Delays and overcrowding on Borders Railway services

Scotrail are in the spotlight. Credit: ITV Border

Campaigners say services on the new Borders Railway have been hit by problems, including overcrowding and delays.

The line opened to paying passengers on Sunday 6 September with an official opening by the Queen on Wednesday 9.

But this weekend, members of the Campaign for Borders Rail say services were in disarray, with passengers being forced to wait at platforms for the next service as not enough carriages were put on.

Some passengers claim they had to wait nearly 20 minutes for delayed services.

There were also problems with ticket machines not recognising the new stations on the line, and the machine at Tweedbank not connecting to the banking system.

Some passengers were saying it was so busy that they had to stand, some couldn't board the trains.

I think Scotrail have fallen short.

There have been delays on the trains for various reasons. If a train arrives late in Tweedbank, and then its late going back to Edinburgh, then all the other trains are delayed.

They have to keep an eye on this and make sure trains run on time or it will turn people off the trains altogether."

– Atholl Innes, Campaign for Borders Rail

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