Customers travelling to and from staffed stations throughout Scotland are benefiting from STAR treatment.

First ScotRail has invested £1.5million in over 200 new STAR machines - Station Terminals for Advanced Rail retailing - which have been installed at 141 stations across the country.

The STAR machines have been installed in a rolling programme with the final one going in at Singer station in Strathclyde. It follows successful trials at Aberdeen and Paisley Gilmour Street stations at the end of 2005 and commenced in January 2006, at Perth Station. Over 450 staff have undertaken a two day training course, helping to ensure they can provide the best customer service.

The machines are 'user friendly' with touch screen operation and scanning technology to make the process of buying and selling tickets easier for both customers and staff.

Customers can benefit from:
* the added security of chip and pin technology
* improved customer service and reduced queuing time through faster ticket issuing
* being alerted to First ScotRail's latest information and promotions thanks to direct staff access to the company's intranet
* the installation of P2 - a real time information system which shows staff where all trains on the network are at any given time and provides details on punctuality and reasons for any delay.
Peter Williams, commercial director at First ScotRail said: "Our aim is to provide our customers with the most convenient, reliable and secure way to purchase tickets, as well as reduce queuing -especially during peak times. The STAR machines will benefit both customers and staff, which is good news for all."