Starlink Questionnaire – preliminary results

80% of residents who do take the bus to Leuchars for the train would use rail more if there were rail services to St Andrews.

78% of residents who do not take the bus to Leuchars for the train would use a St Andrews railway (as most of these are driving a car, this suggests a good opportunity for modal shift).

Those 2 figures comprise 79% of the residents’ responses; another 15% are users of the bus to Leuchars who would make the same amount of rail journeys if a St Andrews railway were built.

Therefore support for the railway from the respondees is overwhelming.
20,000 questionnaires were distributed during November and December: 6,800 in St Andrews in Focus magazine to every household in St Andrews, 3,000 to all students in halls of residence, the remainder handed to rail passengers at Leuchars, distributed round parked cars at Leuchars and St Andrews (including in streets used by commuters) and, probably the vast majority, left in bundles in hotels, restaurants, pubs and shops.

Summary of questionnaire results:

611 responses.

79% of responses were from residents of St Andrews;
9% from commuters into St Andrews;
12% from visitors.

80% of residents who do take the bus to Leuchars for the train would use rail more if there were rail services to St Andrews.

78% of residents who do not take the bus to Leuchars for the train would use a St Andrews railway (as most of these are driving a car, this suggests a good opportunity for modal shift).

Those 2 figures comprise 79% of the residents’ responses; another 15% are users of the bus to Leuchars who would make the same amount of rail journeys if a St Andrews railway were built.

Therefore support for the railway from the respondees is overwhelming.

Reasons given for supporting a railway to St Andrews:

  • Less hassle than changing from a bus, especially with luggage or small children
  • Some disabled and elderly people find the footbridge or ramp at Leuchars too difficult to get over; a railway in St Andrews would remove the need to negotiate the Leuchars bridge
  • A railway would be more convenient than a bus and train
  • A railway would be quicker than a bus and train
  • Bus fare perceived as expensive for such a short journey; a railway would make the journey cheaper
  • People prefer using a train, which is considered more comfortable, to a bus
  • Buses don’t connect with the trains; bus often seen pulling away as train get in. 15 minutes (longer in the evenings) is seen as too long to wait for the next one
  • No sheltered area to wait for bus at Leuchars; station has waiting room
  • Claim that last bus leaves Leuchars before last train arrives. which is not supposed to happen; worry about getting back from Leuchars if on a late train
  • Assertion that many visitors don’t realise how far Leuchars is from St Andrews; one B&B provider said she has lost bookings once her potential guests realised the nearest railway station was not actually in St Andrews