COMMUTERS are soon going to be able to spend a penny without having to spend a penny, after Network Rail announced they were scrapping their lavvy levy.
Network Rail, who operate Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley in Scotland, said they would no longer ask desperate travellers to cough up 30p.
The toilets are a money maker for Network Rail, earning the firm £4.8 million for the last year.
Edinburgh Waverley’s loos raked in £331,946 in the last financial year, up from £291,024 in 2015/16.
Though Glasgow Central took in £325,109 in 2016/17, that was down on the previous year from £347,928.
Only three other Scottish stations charge for using the toilet – Aberdeen, Glasgow Queen Street and Inverness.
ScotRail, who operate those three terminals, say they have no immediate plans to stop their toilet tax.
Network rail’s decision follows the scrapping of charges at Birmingham New Street three years ago, and more recently at Victoria, Charing Cross, Cannon Street and London Bridge stations.
The move, which will come into force next year, brings all other stations into line.
Network Rail chief executive, Mark Carne, said: “As a customer organisation I think it’s quite wrong to penalise people when they’re in discomfort. Our job should be to make their life easier, not more difficult. As a company we want to treat people with dignity and respect.”
Stephen Joseph, executive director of the Campaign for Better Transport, said: “This is great news. There are obviously issues with maintenance, but many stations already manage without charges.”
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