Railways: Tickets

(asked on 4th September 2023) - View Source

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had recent discussions with (a) women and (b) people with disabilities on consultations into the proposed closure of railway ticket offices.


Answered by
Huw Merriman Portrait
Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
This question was answered on 7th September 2023

We recognise that many passengers value the services provided by staff at ticket offices and the Department has held roundtable discussions with accessibility and passenger representative groups to discuss this matter.

We have been clear that no currently staffed station should be unstaffed as a result of industry changes, and operators should ensure that staff are well located to meet passenger needs in future. This includes ensuring that staff are available to help passengers use ticket vending machines or their own devices to purchase tickets, and they can assist those who need additional support or do not wish to use digital tickets. Exact staffing arrangements would vary by train operator and station and are subject to ongoing discussions with staff and their trade union representatives.

As the industry takes forward vital reforms, safety and accessibility remain a top priority for all.

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