Plans to close ticket offices go too far, too fast, say MPs
The plans risk excluding some passengers from the railway, warns a committee of MPs. Train operating companies, under pressure from the UK government to reduce costs following the Covid pandemic, have proposed plans to close ticket offices. Currently, only 12% of tickets are now purchased at station kiosks, with around three out of every five stations currently having a ticket office. Some ticket kiosks would remain in large stations, but others would be on concourses to sell tickets, offer travel advice and help people with accessibility. Transport Minister Huw Merriman, transport committee chair Iain Stewart, stated that some passengers have legitimate concerns about the potential impact on their ability to access support they need, such as ticketing, information, safety or access assistance. The proposed closures are part of a dispute between train companies and unions, which has resulted in several strikes since last summer.
公開済み : 2年前 沿って By Noor Nanji & Katy Austin の Business
The closure plans have been put forward by train operating companies. Operators are under pressure from the government to cut costs after being supported heavily during the Covid pandemic, and argue only 12% of tickets are now bought at station kiosks.
Currently around three out of every five stations has a ticket office, although some are only staffed part time.Under the proposals, most would close.
Some ticket kiosks would remain in large stations, but elsewhere staff would be on concourses to sell tickets, offer travel advice and help people with accessibility.
In the letter, addressed to Rail Minister Huw Merriman, transport committee chair Iain Stewart said that MPs had been looking into the potential effect of the proposals on disabled travellers.
He said some passengers had "legitimate concerns" about whether closing a ticket office would mean they can no longer access the support they need, such as with ticketing, information, safety or access assistance.
"At a minimum, changes this radical should be carefully piloted in limited areas and evaluated for their effect on all passengers before being rolled out," he said.
The planned closures are the latest flashpoint between train companies and unions, who have been in a long-running dispute over pay, jobs and working conditions, which has resulted in a series of strikes since last summer.
Passenger watchdogs Transport Focus and London Travelwatch are currently assessing the record number of responses that were received to that consultation.They are due to publish their findings by 31 October. If the watchdogs object, the final decision rests with the transport secretary.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "While these are industry proposals, we have been consistently clear that the industry must ensure that the quality of service for passengers is maintained to a high standard.