Published: Friday, 19th February, 2010 12:01pm

Rail campaigner arrested on train

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Gill Holmes pictured with her fine outside Largs station.

An exasperated train passenger made a bid for 'people power' when she was recently arrested and hauled off the Glasgow to Largs train by police in protest at the poor service, she has told the 'News'.

Gill Holmes, who regularly commutes to Glasgow where she works in sales and marketing for a city firm, was ordered off a train home at Kilwinning Railway Station to get a bus but refused until she saw a coach arrive at the station to take her home. As the bus had not arrived, she refused to leave the train and she was arrested by British Transport Police.

The 63 year old is angry as on many occasions in the past, passengers have been told to get off an an earlier platform if trains are running late in order to allow the rail service to operate in time for trains coming in the opposite direction but decided enough was enough. Passengers would either wait for the next train, a specially laid on bus, or having to make their own travel arrangements back home.

She said: "The service left Glasgow on time and went smoothly until on the approach to Kilwinning we were informed that the service was to terminate there due to signalling problems. We were informed by a member of the station staff that he had been 'led to believe' that buses had been organised.

"I refused to leave until our alternative transport arrived as suggested by a duty manager I had spoken to on a previous occasion."

A ScotRail spokesman said: "I can confirm a complaint has been received. As is right and proper, we will respond directly to the customer.

"I can also confirm a woman was arrested by police at Kilwinning station. As it has been suggested a court appearance may be held, it would be inappropriate to make further comment."

Full story in this week's Largs News