Fergus Ewing, Minister for Community Safety and MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber joined Mary Dickson, managing director of First ScotRail and David Duthie, HITRANS partnership to unveil a plaque to officially open the new look Fort William Station transport hub, which has undergone a £750,000 refurbishment programme.

Invited guests, including representatives from ferry and coach companies, along with contractors and First ScotRail staff were also in attendance at the event, which coincided with the third anniversary of the First ScotRail franchise which began on 17 October 2004.

The refurbishment work is the result of a successful partnership between First ScotRail, Transport Scotland and HITRANS - the regional transport body for the Highlands and Islands. The significant investment has been used to provide customers with a more modern station environment - internally and externally - along with improved facilities such as enhanced access, a complete overhaul of the toilets, improvements to the left luggage facilities and ticket office and the introduction of five new showers.

New flooring has been laid throughout and lighting across the station has been enhanced. As part of a wider station investment package, Transport Scotland provided further funding to invest in CCTV at the station, increasing the overall feeling of security for customers.

In addition, customers are benefiting from increased comfort and improved facilities on board the Class 156 trains which operate to and from Fort William, thanks to a refurbishment programme currently underway. Funded by Transport Scotland and delivered by First ScotRail, the programme includes the replacement and upgrade of the luggage racks, new lighting, an interior repaint and new floor and wall carpets along with brand new table tops, creating a cleaner, brighter and more modern interior.

Mary Dickson, managing director of First ScotRail said; “I am delighted that customers will benefit from the significant investment that has gone in to improving the overall look and feel of the station. A great number of  people will be able to take advantage of the enhanced facilities, from rail passengers to hill walkers, cyclists and tourists and it’s particularly good news for those travelling on our Caledonian Sleeper. As we look ahead to the fourth year of the franchise, we will continue to drive forward improvements across the business and work closely with our industry partners to provide a top quality public transport service.”

Fergus Ewing said, “These improvements are a clear demonstration of how we can achieve a wealthier, greener Scotland. By providing the local community and visitors to Fort William with a welcoming transport hub, we can encourage people to use public transport to access the Highlands and beyond. This, in turn, will generate economic benefits for the local area. I would also like to commend First ScotRail, Transport Scotland and HITRANS for their commitment to delivering these modernised facilities - this is an outstanding example of the benefits that partnership working can accrue.”

David Duthie, HITRANS partnership, said, “Fort William is a really important visitor destination and service centre for the West Highlands and Islands so not only is it great to see the Station upgraded it is very significant that this upgrade has really delivered a travel centre with information available for all transport modes.  The Caledonian MacBrayne tour shop is very significant as it will help people plan their journeys beyond Fort William.  This project is the reward for a strong partnership approach and I am thrilled that we at HITRANS have played our part in this.”

The event is part of a week long tour of stations and depots across Scotland being undertaken by First ScotRail’s senior management team. They are meeting with staff to highlight achievements and improvements that have been made across the business over the last 12 months as well as provide an opportunity for staff to discuss their ideas on how to to further raise the overall level of service being provided.