ONLY one in every four trains are arriving in Largs on time new figures have revealed - and today commuters have slammed the price and reliability of the local service.

Train fares have gone up 3.1 per cent, while people travelling between Largs and Glasgow will endure two changes, including a bus service between Paisley and Glasgow, every weekend in January.

Local councillors, including economy portfolio chairman Alex Gallagher and Conservative councillor Tom Marshall, have also criticised the service recently.

Cllr. Gallagher said ScotRail was 'failing Largs', adding that the firm needed to 'pull their socks up'.

The News this week visited local stations to ask passengers their thoughts on the value for money provided by the service.

Caroline Le Good Morgan said: "People have to start doing car sharing like what happened in the 1970s and 80s.

"£14.30 for a peak day return between Largs and Glasgow is an awful lot of money on a daily basis.

"The money is one issue but there has also been a huge number of cancellations on the line.

"If you live in Largs and you rely on the train service to Glasgow, it is a huge issue.

"If you get stopped at Kilwinning on the way back from Glasgow, you are not guaranteed a bus back home. That is particularly of concern if you have children returning from the city.

"I would use the train more but I don't think it is worth it.

"If I do, I drive to Glengarnock as there are three trains an hour, so you have reliability.

"The other issue is that with there only being one train per hour on the Largs-Glasgow line, if there is a cancellation then you really are stuck."

Kevin McGill said: "The price increases are shocking

"I travel down to see my sister who lives in Newmarket in London and it costs me £190.

"If I get the train from Paisley to Glasgow at 8.55am I have to pay £13 for a return ticket, but then if it is after 10am it goes down to £8.

"Since the new pricing came in, kids no longer go free either. It's not value for money."

Mary Orr, of Millport, said: "We don't seem to be getting the infrastructure right. I have often been stopped at Kilwinning and you have to wait for buses back to Largs.

"The trains don't coincide with the ferry times either. The train gets into Largs station just as the ferry leaves the slip.

"My grandson travels to Largs every morning. He is an apprentice and he can't get a railcard as it doesn't apply to early morning fares. It is not a good situation."

The News also gained an international perspective on the fare increases from some German tourists holidaying in the area.

Kathrin Sievers said: "Compared to Germany, the prices on the trains in Scotland are not expensive.

"For a typical trip between Largs and Glasgow, the equivalent in Germany would be around £15 for a single.

"If you buy monthly tickets it is cheaper, but for one off journeys singles and returns it is very expensive back home."

Largs businessman Richard Craigmile told the News he thought the fare increases coupled with the amount of cancellations on the line is driving away visitors.

He said: "The fare increases will put people off from coming I fear. I don't know how they get away with it. With all the delays on the line in weekends throughout January, it is going to have an effect on local trade I believe."