Ticket office closures

[Rillington]

The issue here isn't about de-staffing of any stations. It's about the mass closure in England of ticket offices. I think that there are plans to reduce staffed hours at the edges at some stations although I'm not aware of any plans, right now, to fully de-staff any station.

[ianch99]

Originally Posted by Rillington

The issue here isn't about de-staffing of any stations. It's about the mass closure in England of ticket offices. I think that there are plans to reduce staffed hours at the edges at some stations although I'm not aware of any plans, right now, to fully de-staff any station.

The issue absolutely about station de-staffing, for example:

https://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk...ces-set-close/

Romsey station is set to be unstaffed Sundays and Mondays under the new proposals, despite the fact the ticket office is open from 6.50am until 1.30pm Monday to Saturday.

Under the new plans, SWR will only staff Romsey Station from 6am until 10am Tuesday to Friday, and on Saturdays, it will be staffed from 9am until 1pm.

Micheldever's ticket office is only open from 6.20am until 9.05am Monday to Friday, and under new plans, the station will be staffed from 6am until 10am Tuesday to Friday, and 9am until 1pm on Saturdays.

Railway stations in Shawford and Mottisfont Dundridge are both unstaffed and there are no plans by SWR to staff these stations in the future.

As I mentioned above, this change allows the Rail companies to easily run down the station staffing numbers over time to improve their profits.

[Itshim]

Originally Posted by Chris

It’s not that good …

Well I think it is, there again the last train I went on, was the cross channel and brought that ticket on line.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by ianch99

The issue absolutely about station de-staffing, for example:

https://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk...ces-set-close/

As I mentioned above, this change allows the Rail companies to easily run down the station staffing numbers over time to improve their profits.

I'm pretty sure the money will flow as savings to the government as the government now takes revenue risk. Train companies will not mind the reduction in revenue as it won't impact them.
This is all about the dead hand of government hiding behind private sector companies, some of whom are in fact subsidiaries of European rail operators.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

I can't see this proposal being taken forwards in its entirety judging by the unhappy responses from Conservative MPs.

Ticketing needs to be simplified and support for unmanned stations needs to be implemented before going down this route on the scale announced.

And, as if by magic:

UK rail companies to cancel planned ticket office closures

Rail companies are preparing to cancel their plans for the mass closure of ticket offices in England, after a public backlash against the proposals.

Industry executives said the plans would be cancelled later on Tuesday after the government pulled its backing.

https://www.ft.com/content/6096e55d-...b-cb5d1006c339

[denphone]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

And, as if by magic:


https://www.ft.com/content/6096e55d-...b-cb5d1006c339

Good as it was complete and utter idiocy if they had gone through with what they were planning.

[Pierre]

it will still happen, they'll just do slower, without fanfare, as they have been doing for years.

[1701-e]

Usual Tory carp. Threaten to take something away. Withdrew the threat making it as if they are giving you something back. *******s need booted out now.

[heero_yuy]

Originally Posted by 1701-e

*******s need booted out now.

Be careful what you wish for.

[denphone]

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

Be careful what you wish for.

Indeed the country that gave us the catastrophic trolley for several years with all the disasters it entailed.

Originally Posted by 1701-e

Usual Tory carp. Threaten to take something away. Withdrew the threat making it as if they are giving you something back. *******s need booted out now.

Ummm, the rail companies were taking them away, not the government.

Since you missed it ;

UK rail companies to cancel planned ticket office closures.

[Mr K]

Originally Posted by Paul

Ummm, the rail companies were taking them away, not the government.

Since you missed it ;

Who privatised the railways in the first place? And what a success its been .....

[Anonymouse]

To be more accurate: who stole them? Legal it might have been, but they were public property, paid for with our taxes. No-one asked me or my family if we wanted them sold off, and we'd have told 'em to get stuffed if they had. Same with water, gas etc.
I hardly use the railways myself, but when I do I like to know there's a human on hand to sell me a ticket when - not if, when - the machines go wrong.

Originally Posted by Mr K

Who privatised the railways in the first place?

Totally irrelevant as usual.

[1701-e]

Originally Posted by Paul

Ummm, the rail companies were taking them away, not the government.

Since you missed it ;

Rail delivery group runs the government agenda.