An Aberdeen mum has hit out at a railway company after her autistic son was denied a discounted ticket from a train conductor.

Nicola Will has filed a complaint against ScotRail after her 18-year-old son Cameron – who has autism, ADHD and learning difficulties – became upset when a train conductor refused to help him buy a discounted ticket.

She said: “Cameron takes the train every day to and from Inverurie and Aberdeen and this is the first time this has happened.

“He showed the train conductor his disability card and the conductor said he needed to get his ticket from the ticket machine.

“Cameron told the conductor that the ticket office had been closed and because of his autism Cameron can’t work the ticket machine.

“I find it very frustrating and disappointing that they did an autism awareness day and it shows that nothing has helped the staff training.”

ScotRail has been awarded with the Autism Friendly Award which recognises organisations that ensure autistic visitors can access and enjoy their venues.

Cameron takes the train every day to meet his placement social worker in Inverurie where he takes part in charity Inspire’s day service, including Inspire Soap – which makes scented soap – arts and crafts, and different creative projects.

Nicola said: “Cameron has been taking the train for so long and it’s never happened before. Cameron got so upset he called his grandmother and handed the phone to the conductor.

“My mother had to speak to the conductor and try to explain the situation.

“The conductor told him ‘If I am working this train the next time you board it without a ticket, I’m not selling you one’.

“Eventually, he sold him a discounted ticket.

“It just shows that staff still aren’t trained to understand hidden disabilities like autism.”

A ScotRail Alliance spokesman said: “We are currently investigating this complaint, and we will be in touch with Ms Will directly.”