Stirling’s landtrain has introduced a new and extended route covering more of the city.
The extended route came in to force on Saturday and the train will now travel from the city centre to Forthside and back in a bid to give visitors and residents the chance to see more of Stirling.
Go Forth Stirling Business Improvement District, which operates the controversial landtrain, is also launching a new hop on/hop off pass which allows users to make as many journeys as they like throughout the day.
Go Forth Manager Mags Fenner said: “The landtrain route has been extended following consultation with businesses.
“We’re confident the new route and day pass will be a great enhancement to the city encouraging people to hop on and off the landtrain and explore Stirling during the summer.
“It’s also good timing for the school summer holidays allowing families a new way to visit Forthside’s attractions including the Engine Shed, Vue Cinema and various cafes and restaurants.”
Central FM presented their daytime show from the landtrain today (Monday).
The second-hand landtrain, which cost £50,000, is not popular with some city centre traders.
In December last year, we told how business owners at the Top of the Town claimed it was taking away customers from certain streets.
More than 100 businesses have signed a petition calling for the landtrain to be scrapped, with Alan Waldron, boss of Stirling Bagpipes in Broad Street, describing it as a `white elephant’ that no-one wants.
The extended landtrain route will now take around 40 minutes from start to finish and passengers can take advantage of a special introductory offer of just £2 for the day pass.
The train is free for children under five and will be running every day, between 10am and 5pm, throughout the rest of the school summer holidays.
Passengers can now join the train at Forthside Car Park, near the Vue Cinema, or get on board at various stops along the route.
The landtrain travels along Forthside Way towards the city centre with stops at Barnton Street, King Street, St John Street (set down only), the Castle Esplanade, Broad Street and Station Road before heading back to Forthside.
Further improvement plans for the landtrain include a GPS commentary system highlighting landmarks and places of interest around the route and a map for passengers.
The landtrain was introduced during Easter 2018 with the aim of operating through the main tourism months and providing a key link between traders and Stirling Castle.
