This council meeting notes with concern the news that almost all of the 1,007 remaining rail ticket offices, bar at the busiest stations, face closure following discussions between the Department for Transport and the Rail Delivery Group and changes to the Government’s guidance relating to ticket office opening hours.
This council meeting notes with concern the news that almost all of the 1,007 remaining rail ticket offices, bar at the busiest stations, face closure following discussions between the Department for Transport and the Rail Delivery Group and changes to the Government’s guidance relating to ticket office opening hours.
This council meeting believes that our ticket offices provide a vital service to residents across [OUR AREA].
Having a clearly sign-posted place in these stations for people with ticket enquiries provides certainty and confidence for customers who may struggle to otherwise locate station staff.
This council meeting further notes not all residents are able to use station ticket machines, or have the means to book a ticket in advance. Complicated journeys involving connections are likely to require human assistance to ensure customers purchase the most appropriate and cheapest tickets, and do not incur penalties from mis-booked tickets.
This council meeting is concerned the closure of ticket offices will disproportionately affect elderly and disabled residents across the borough – as well as those with poor literacy and
IT skills.
This council meeting also notes the possible implications for current station staff and the concerns that have been raised over possible staff redundancies.
This council also notes that rail travel is one of the most environmentally friendly forms of transport available and we should do all we can to encourage rail use.
This council meeting therefore resolves to:
- Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Transport, and the Government Railways Minister, expressing Council’s opposition to the possiblclosure of staffed rail ticket offices – and in particular the offices at [INSERT NAMES HERE]
- Ask the Chief Executive to write to [LOCAL RAIL COMPANY] expressing the Council’s opposition to any plans to close the staffed ticket offices listed above.
- Refer this issue to [INSERT RELEVANT COMMITTEE/MEETING HERE with the recommendation that representatives from [INSERT NAMES OF TRAIN COMPANIES HERE] are invited to attend at the earliest possible point to discuss future plans for staffing at our local stations.