100,000 have responded to plans for mass closure of railway ticket offices

19 July 2023 , 23:01

644     0

Almost a thousand ticket counters face closure (Image: Getty Images)

The planned mass closure of railway ticket offices has already triggered 100,000 responses.

Train operators aim to shut 974 ticket counters in England and the public have 21 days – until Wednesday – to give their views.

The train firms have been blasted for the short consultation period. And an RMT union strike today is partly to fight the closures.

Passenger watchdog groups Transport Focus and London TravelWatch have received the responses.

Transport Focus boss Anthony Smith said of the “huge” reaction: “There’s still time to respond. We want to hear from everyone, so we can consider the needs of all station users and local communities.”

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

Two disabled rail users are legally challenging the consultation.

Plan has been met with widespread concern for passengers (Maureen McLean/REX/Shutterstock)

Sarah Leadbetter, who is registered blind, and Doug Paulley, a wheelchair user with hearing loss, say it is discriminates against disabled people.

They argue 21 days to respond to some of the biggest changes to railway operations for a generation is ­inadequate and unlawful.

Five Labour mayors are also threatening to take train firms to court unless they immediately halt plans. Transport Focus will consider if stations will continue to be staffed, accessibility, other ways for buying tickets, and if passengers will be able to use station facilities such as lifts, waiting rooms and toilets.

Train operators claim ticket offices are no longer needed as most passengers buy online or at station machines. They say staff will be moved on to platforms and concourses but there are fears of large-scale job losses.

Graham Hiscott