Union pledges 'absolute resistance' to any bid to revive rail ticket office cull

09 November 2023 , 17:00

1158     0

The industry, backed by the Government, wanted to shut 974 ticket offices (Image: Maureen McLean/REX/Shutterstock)

A rail union boss today warns the Tories not to try and revive plans to axe railway ticket offices.

The Mirror and transport unions secured a stunning victory 10 days ago when the industry and Conservatives abandoned plans to shut 974 station front counters following an unprecedented backlash. However, insiders believe the sector and ministers could plot to resurrect the closure scheme, perhaps with the number of doomed offices cut.

Writing exclusively for the Mirror, Transport Salaried Staff Association general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust writes: “Any future moves on ticket offices will again face the full force of our union and the fury of the public. We shall now be seeking guarantees from the train companies that there will be no further attempts to threaten these jobs or undermine roles in any way. Similarly, there can be no question of companies pivoting to try to close quieter ticket offices or further reduce opening hours. This would be a most unwise move, one which again we would meet with absolute resistance.”

The plans triggered an unprecedented revolt (Philip Coburn /Daily Mirror)

Campaigners rejoiced on Halloween after the Government announced it was scrapping the controversial closure programme following an outcry from passengers. Train firms had drawn up proposals to shut ticket counters at 974 railway stations across England.

Conservative ministers, including Rishi Sunak, had backed the closures. The Prime Minister had insisted shutting ticket offices was "the right thing for the British public and British taxpayers" as "only one in 10 tickets are sold currently in ticket offices".

Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade

But rail firms and the Tories were forced into a humiliating U-turn after an unprecedented revolt. The passenger watchdogs Transport Focus and London TravelWatch this morning said they believed shutting tickets offices would be a mistake after 750,000 people had their say on their plans. It was the biggest ever response to a public consultation.

Train firms themselves admitted passengers would be put at risk of being swindled by crooks and railway stations made to feel less safe by shutting ticket offices. The Mirror led efforts to stop the closures - which would have particularly hit the elderly, vulnerable and disabled - with our Save Our Ticket Offices campaign. Thousands of readers took part in an online rally in August urging the Government to back down.

Ms Eslamdoust writes: “This was a united front against a looming threat to communities and safety of millions of passengers. Together we were able to show that together we can overcome even the most formidable challenges. Now we must guard against any attempt to bring in any cuts to ticket offices through the back door.”

'Any ticket office closures will face full force of our union'

By TSSA general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust

The defeat of the Government’s daft and dangerous plans to close ticket offices across England was a sweet victory for our union.

We were formed 126 years ago to represent ticket office staff and still do this today. Our members were put under huge pressure by an uncaring government whose only interest in the railways is tearing down the industry. We fought incredibly hard to retain ticket offices – something which demonstrates the collective power of our union, but we did not do this alone.

Britain was at its best in this campaign, because Britons from so many walks of life stood together. Not only did we see a record response – 750,000 signatories to a public consultation – but invaluable support from groups representing passengers, the disabled, women, pensioners and more. This was a united front against a looming threat to communities and safety of millions of passengers.

Together we were able to show that together we can overcome even the most formidable challenges. Now we must guard against any attempt to bring in any cuts to ticket offices through the back door. The Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, has been clear that the plans in their present form are finished, but can he stand up to Rishi Sunak and Treasury mandarins still looking for savings?

We shall see - but any future moves on ticket offices will again face the full force of our union and the fury of the public. We shall now be seeking guarantees from the train companies that there will be no further attempts to threaten these jobs or undermine roles in any way. Similarly, there can be no question of companies pivoting to try to close quieter ticket offices or further reduce opening hours. This would be a most unwise move, one which again we would meet with absolute resistance.

Ben Glaze