Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government which disability and accessibility groups they consulted before launching the consultation on proposed closures to rail ticket offices.

In partnership with industry, the Rail Minister and department officials held roundtables with industry and accessibility stakeholders and passenger representative groups on 6 June and 18 July 2023 to discuss potential reforms. Over 20 different organisations were represented at the different roundtables.

Through the industry-led Ticketing and Settlement Agreement process train operating companies have put forward proposals to change the opening hours or closure of station ticket offices and recently consulted on these. The consultation closed on 1 September and the independent passenger bodies, Transport Focus and London TravelWatch, are currently assessing the proposals and consultation responses.

We expect train operators to work collaboratively with the passenger bodies in the coming weeks, to listen to the concerns raised and to refine their proposals accordingly.

The Department continues to engage with the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee and other accessibility and transport groups.