Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has made an assessment of the impact of ticket office closures at railway stations on passenger experience.

Together with industry we want to modernise the passenger experience by moving staff out from ticket offices to more visible and accessible roles around the station. Staff will be better placed to assist passengers who need additional support and to provide face-to-face help in customer focused roles. Industry is also looking to expand digital ticketing options further and make them even easier for passengers to use.

Throughout this process, Industry and the Department are engaging with accessibility groups including DPTAC and other advocacy groups. To propose any changes to the opening hours, or the closure of ticket offices, Train Operating Companies (TOCs) must follow the process set out in the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement (TSA). This sets out how TOCs must consider the needs of all passengers when proposing alternative arrangements and includes a consultation for the public to raise any objections.