A BUSINESSMAN was left humiliated after ScotRail failed to assist with his electric wheelchair at Kilwinning railway station – despite several promises he would be able to get onto the replacement buses.

Thistle Help managing director George Ruddick hit out at the ‘shambles’ after the train operator was unable to get his chair on to its replacement buses between Kilwinning and Paisley - despite repeat reassurances he would be able to get on the bus ahead of his trips on Saturday and Sunday.

George, who lives in Irvine, said: “It’s absolutely disgusting the way I was humiliated.

“I called customer assistance four times, knowing engineering work was on, advising them my power chair was not going to get on the replacement buses.

“Four times I was advised it would be fine.

“The first two buses were not accessible. I was expected to try and get on a bus I knew wasn’t suitable. After 20 minutes of people watching me and being humiliated, it was agreed I would not be able to get on.

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“Obviously, other passengers were gawking at the performance and were getting angry as this took up around 20 minutes.

“Eventually, three buses later, I challenged them to take me directly to Glasgow rather than Paisley.

“I told the organiser I wanted to be taken straight to Glasgow Central – to be fair to him, he did seem mortified at the situation.

“On the return journey, pretty much the same scenario happened before a taxi was provided.

“We travelled to Paisley Gilmour Street on the Sunday, waited an hour on an accessible bus coming, only to find the driver did not have the key to operate the lift. You really can’t make this up.

“Another hour passed before they contacted someone in customer service to provide a taxi.

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“This took 40 minutes for them to get back to him and agree to provide a taxi, but only to Kilwinning.

“I agreed with the taxi driver I would pay the difference from Kilwinning station to my home address.

“I am looking for compensation for the humiliation I went through. ScotRail need to realise disabled customers are not second class citizens.

“A serious accident is going to happen to a disabled person if something similar happens in the future.

“It was a humiliating experience for both my fiancée and myself.”

Patrick Nyamurundira, ScotRail access and inclusion manager, said: “I was concerned to hear about Mr Ruddock’s experience when travelling at the weekend.

“Scotland’s railway is for everyone, and everyone should be able to travel with confidence. We’re investigating this complaint and will respond to Mr Ruddock directly.”