London (TAN): Toilet charges at all the busiest railway stations in the United Kingdom have recently been scrapped by Network Rail.
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London Liverpool Street, Edinburgh Waverley and London King’s Cross stations joined 16 other stations across the country where passengers are ‘free to pee’ at the stations’ public toilets, Network Rail said.
Previously, passengers were charged up to GBP 0.50 per person to use the facilities.
Chief executive of Network Rail Andrew Haines said: “Passengers have told us that toilets are an important issue for them and taking this step is just one, of a number of small measures we are taking, to put our passengers first by helping to make their journeys a bit more hassle-free.”
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“Scrapping toilet charges is a welcome step for passengers,” said Anthony Smith, chief executive of United Kingdom-based transport watchdog Transport Focus.
“Toilets are a priority for improvement at stations according to our research and will signal the end of fumbling around in your pocket for change to spend a penny,” he added.
Passengers have rooted for free toilets since Birmingham New Street station pioneered the trend in 2015, following its GBP 750 million refurbishment. While public toilets at London Paddington were made free last January, London Euston and London Waterloo joined the free toilet club last month.
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Other improvements being made at Network Rail stations include introduction of water fountains (currently available at 16 stations), more and new seating, low clutter on concourses, and staff and rail operator in same uniform.
