Reforms to train ticket sales scrapped following public consultation

Reforms to ticket sales on Britain’s railways that would have led to the closure of ticket offices in all stations in Stockport have been cancelled, following a consultation on proposals this summer.

The government announced yesterday (31st October) that rail industry plans to close the majority of manned ticket offices in England would no longer go ahead after the consultation saw high levels of objections from passengers. Plans had also attracted legal challenges, including from Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, for failing to follow necessary procedures for closing parts of stations and for failing to adequately assess the impact on vulnerable communities who may not be able to access mobile ticketing or electronic ticket vending machines.

In a statement to Sky News, Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, confirmed he had asked rail operating companies to withdraw the proposals following the outcomes of the public consultation process. Previously, government ministers had backed the plans, arguing that manned ticket offices represented poor value for money as they accounted for fewer than 1 in 10 ticket sales nationwide.

Mark Harper also confirmed that government would continue with plans to modernise the rail network, including with expanding contactless Pay As You Go ticketing, and investment in accessibility at stations.

The public consultation had attracted over 750,000 responses from organisations and members of the public, according to passenger groups, Transport Focus and London TravelWatch, with the overwhelming majority opposing the changes.

Responding to the announcement a spokesperson for Transport for the North said:

“We are pleased that plans to close ticket offices are not being taken forward.

“As today’s report from Transport Focus clearly shows, withdrawing ticket office staff would leave passengers very disadvantaged and would be a barrier to people using the railway.

“The way that people buy their tickets is changing, and we need to take account of that, but the presence of staff is about so much more than simply retailing tickets. They are a human point of contact, including helping passengers who might need assistance or providing reassurance for those who might be wary of travelling alone.

“We believe ticket office staffing should be looked at only as part of a wider review of stations, that takes in pay-as-you-go, retail and other services.

“Done correctly, we can ensure that reform supports growth and the needs of all passengers. But it must not be to the disadvantage of any station users, especially in regards to accessibility and safety.”