A union chief has slammed plans for a major cull of railway ticket offices as “a savage attack on workers and travellers”.
Train companies yesterday announced a 21-day consultation after which up to 1,000 offices in England could shut over three years.
The Rail Delivery Group, representing operators, says the industry must “modernise” as self-service machines mean only 12% of tickets are bought over the counter now.
But Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT union, said: “The decision to close up to 1,000 ticket offices and issue hundreds of redundancy notices is a savage attack on railway workers, their families and the travelling public. Travellers will be forced to rely on apps and remote mobile teams. This is catastrophic for elderly, disabled and vulnerable passengers.”
Louise Rubin, of disability charity Scope, fears “more people being stranded without the support they need”. And Vivienne Francis, of the Royal National Institute of Blind People, warned the move would hit people’s ability to “travel independently”.
There are also fears some passengers – such as women travelling alone – and workers could be exposed to a greater risk of violence. The Rail Delivery Group said it aims to move staff from behind screens to platforms and concourses.
Chief executive Jacqueline Starr said: “The way customers buy tickets has changed and it’s time for the railway to change with them.”
'We are losing the personal touch'
Rail travellers at Accrington Station were almost all opposed to the planned loss of its ticket office.
Social media worker Holly Murray, 31, who lives in the Lancashire town, said: “It’s is a terrible decision because I am utterly useless at booking tickets.
“I travel a lot for work and rely on the ticket office for help and guidance.”
Michael Murphy, 60, from nearby Haslingden, said of Northern Rail: “The company has the nickname Northern Fail for a reason.
“For older people, a train station can be quite a threatening place at times.
“When the ticket office goes, they have lost their support network.”
Anum Akhtar, 21, a student, said: “For me closing the ticket office won’t make much difference but it will probably mean people will lose their jobs, which is wrong. It’s just another way of saving money.”
Student Mosan Shahzad, 19, said of losing ticket staff: “It is a really bad idea. If you are not local to the area or need help with a ticket, they are always really helpful.”
Finley Tunstall, from Wakefield, West Yorks, said he never used the ticket office.
But Mohammad Khan, 19, a builder, said of the planned ticket office closure: “I don’t agree with it.
“You are losing the personal touch and the experience that staff member has.
“The staff are often able to offer a better alternative and that will be lost along with the customer service element.” He said some people, especially the elderly, find buying a ticket stressful and feel happier speaking to a real staff member.
