Railway Office Ticket Closure Survey
Train companies across the country have consultations to move staff from ticket offices and into stations.
I want to hear your views on this.
Today less than 12% of rail tickets are purchased in ticket offices. That figure stood at over 80% when this issue was last looked at.
So it’s right that the train operating companies look to modernise their approach, while also maintaining essential hubs, and keeping staff at stations where they perform essential tasks. But there is a balance to be struck.
In Ulverston, for instance, station staff are needed to make the accessible crossing available. Northern gave me assurances previously that this would mean the station would be protected. However, Northern’s current proposals suggest there will only be someone on site for two hours a day. Would that leave someone who needs that accessible crossing vulnerable? Almost certainly. And that’s not acceptable.
I’m glad to see that Northern’s proposals mean that Barrow’s ticket office will remain open, but I do have concerns about the plans for Ulverston and staffing levels. I am aware that many of you have similar such concerns.
That is why I am asking you for your views, which I will feed in to the public consultation. How will these proposals affect you? And what do you want to see in the final version?
You can view the consultation here.
Please take my short survey below to tell me your views on the proposals.