Plans to close most railway ticket offices in England to save money “go too far, too fast”, MPs have warned.
In a letter to the Rail Minister, the Transport Committee said the proposals risk “excluding some passengers from the railway”.
The plans, which are yet to be approved, have sparked concern from unions and disability groups.
The plans, which are yet to be approved, have sparked concern from unions and disability groups.
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.
Plans to close most railway ticket offices in England to save money “go too far, too fast”, MPs have warned.
The plans, which are yet to be approved, have sparked concern from unions and disability groups.
In a letter to the Rail Minister, the Transport Committee said the proposals risk “excluding some passengers from the railway”.
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.
The plans, which are yet to be approved, have sparked concern from unions and disability groups.
The plans, which are yet to be approved, have sparked concern from unions and disability groups.
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.
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