08 September 2023 , 10:03
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Plans for the mass closures of rail ticket offices are set to be debated in Parliament as a petition passed the 100,000 signature threshold.
The blow for the Tory-backed cull of 974 ticket counters comes just a fortnight after hundreds marched to No10 in protest. Almost 700,000 people have also had their voice heard by responding to an official consultation, which ended earlier this month, on the proposals.
Unions, passenger groups and those representing elderly and disabled people have reacted angrily to a decision by train operators to close ticket offices as part of plans to reform the industry.
Train companies argue that moving staff from offices on to station concourses to sell tickets will provide a better service for passengers, but unions fear up to 2,000 jobs will be lost.
The online petition, created by Elizabeth Garnsey, declares: "We want the Government to require train operators to keep ticket offices and platform staff at train stations, to help maintain health and safety standards and customer information."
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Petitions on Parliament's official website that exceed 10,000 signatures receive a government response, but those that exceed 100,000 are almost always debated by MPs.
TSSA union interim general secretary Peter Pendle said: "This is a remarkable response and just shows the power of the public. “Time and again we have seen the Conservatives attempt to ignore the solid arguments that trade unions, disability and pensioner groups and the public have given them for keeping ticket offices open.
“They might think they can sneak these closures through the door, but these numbers show it won’t work. We know a terrible idea when we see it, and we won’t be talked down. “Now, there will be no more hiding. We look forward to seeing the Government held to account for these nonsensical and deeply unpopular plans.”
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch added: “This petition against ticket office closures is another example of the depth of opposition to what in effect will be the dehumanisation of the railway network.
“If the Tories get away with removing all ticket offices in England they will not be coming back, and rail passengers will receive a worse service in what is already one of the most expensive rail networks in the world. “Now is the time to let the government and the train operators know the public’s deep anger and opposition to these devastating closures.”
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