The station is managed by ScotRail and is on the Ayrshire Coast Line.

The station originally opened on 27 July 1840 by the Ardrossan Railway.

[1] The station was known as Saltcoats Central from 30 June 1952 to 4 February 1965,[1] when it was renamed back to its original name.

Monday to Saturday daytimes there are half-hourly services eastbound to Glasgow Central and hourly westbound to Largs and Ardrossan Harbour respectively.

[3] On Sundays there is an hourly service eastbound to Glasgow Central and westbound to Largs, plus five trains to Ardrossan Harbour to connect with the ferry to the Isle of Arran.