Combined authority Mayors from across Northern England have written to government to set out their intentions to pursue legal action against plans from the Department of Transport and train operating companies to closed manned ticket offices in stations across the country.
A consultation launched earlier this month on plans that would see ticket office staff redeployed into more general customer service roles, and dedicated ticket offices closed in the majority of stations. Plans laid out by Northern and Avanti West Coast would see all stations in Stockport lose their ticket offices.
In an article published by the Daily Mirror and the Manchester Evening News, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham set out why he and colleagues representing the Liverpool City Region, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough combined authorities were pursuing legal action to fight the closures.
Mr Burnham argues that rail operators have failed to consider the disproportionate impact of ticket offices on disabled and other more vulnerable rail users before launching their consultation on plans. While ticket offices account for just 12% of ticket sales nationally (the remainder sold largely online or via ticketing apps, or from electronic ticket vending machines (TVMs) at stations), digital sales and TVMs are often inaccessible to disabled rail users. The majority of the North’s TVMs are also cashless, further impacting older people.
He also sought to praise the efforts of station staff during recent disruption on the rail network, particularly in the North of England, in providing information to passengers in the event of cancelled trains and other delays.
The Rail Delivery Group launched the consultation into ticket office closures on 5th July, and it will close on 25th July.
£20.7 million Bee Network boost for walking, wheeling and cycling schemes 
Expert Opinion: How major infrastructure projects can solve the productivity puzzle 
Plans progress for expansion to public transport network