Ministers And Train Firms Have Refused To Rule Out Future Ticket Office Closures
The Department for Transport (DfT) and the Rail Delivery Group – which represents the companies which run Britain’s railways have refused to say if the long-term future of ticket offices are safe.
Under the Government plans to save money there was an attempt to close ticket offices. That would have meant disabled people using train stations in Grimsby, Skegness, Lincoln, Boston, London and around the UK would have suffered. But then, the Government had a rethink.
Despite the climbdown, both the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Rail Delivery Group have refused to rule out further attempts to shut down ticket offices.
Disability rights campaigners like Sarah Leadbetter from The National Federation of the Blind of the UK (NFBUK) remain cautious, anticipating further reforms that could include new closure proposals.
Sarah explained that the future of ticket offices at train stations is not safe. She continued to explain that further reforms could take place which could include ticket office closures.
She attended an online meeting with rail minister Huw Merriman on Tuesday morning. Sarah came away from the meeting not convinced ticket offices were safe in the long term.
She said: “We just got the impression that something else is brewing.
“He came in and said, ‘We still need reform.’”
Doug Paulley, who took legal action alongside Leadbetter, is cautions against celebrating the victory too soon. While the closure plans have been scrapped, Paulley warns that the prospect of destaffing the railway is far from gone.
He expects new proposals for expanding driver-only operated trains to arise following the withdrawal of the ticket office closure plans.
This raises concerns about the potential impact on disabled passengers, as these initiatives may not adequately address their accessibility needs.
The battle for inclusive rail travel continues, with campaigners and disability rights organizations remaining vigilant in the face of possible future challenges.
It is feared that if Rishi Sunak wins the next General Election, then the prospects of ticket office closures will once again be put on the table.