Commuters caught short at Aberdeen’s train station will now have to spend 50p to use the toilet, while they have been made free in the Central Belt.
ScotRail, which operates the station, has raised the cost of using the facilities from 30p to 50p – backtracking on a pledge to scrap the fees entirely after a review earlier this year.
Network Rail recently took the decision to get rid of the charges at the likes of Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central stations.
ScotRail had previously said it would follow suit with its stations in Aberdeen, Elgin, Stonehaven and Inverness as well as many more across Scotland.
The organisation’s commercial director Lesley Kane said in January that charges would be ditched.
She wrote: “I am very pleased to confirm that ScotRail will be looking to withdraw toilet charges at the stations we operate.
“Before we are able to do so, we need to make a full safety assessment to ensure appropriate access and reduce the potential of anti-social behaviour.”
But last night, ScotRail confirmed that its investigation into the move had determined that making its toilets free was “not viable”.
The decision followed feedback from the British Transport Police about a potential spike in anti-social behaviour at the facilities, and comes amid rising operating costs.
A ScotRail spokesman said: “After carrying out full safety assessments, gaining feedback from industry partners and assessing the long-term costs, it was established that removing charges was not a viable option.”
Aberdeen Central MSP Kevin Stewart heaped praise on the move to do away with charges earlier this year and last night expressed frustration at the U-turn.
The SNP politician said: “I’m absolutely appalled that ScotRail has backtracked on its previous statement that it would look to remove charges for the use of toilets.
“The fact that it is now committed to retaining their levy on loos, at an even greater cost to the public, is an utter disgrace.
“Network Rail has removed these charges in order to treat their customers with dignity and respect and it is incomprehensible as to why ScotRail won’t do the same.”
Most facilities operate with an automatic security barrier system that opens when money is put in.
