Ministers have today cancelled plans to close hundreds of rail ticket offices Including Penrith, Carlisle, Appleby and Oxenholme.
The Department for Transport made the announcement as the passenger watchdog, Transport Focus, announced it was “objecting to all of the current proposals to close ticket offices”.
The plans announced in July by train operators to close the vast majority of rail ticket offices. The government, which bankrolls the leading rail firms, had directed them to come up with proposals to cut costs.
The plans to close ticket offices triggered a huge backlash from passenger groups, councils and trade unions.
Mark Harper governments transport secretary, said this morning: “The consultation on ticket offices has now ended, with the Government making clear to the rail industry throughout the process that any resulting proposals must meet a high threshold of serving passengers.
“We have engaged with accessibility groups throughout this process and listened carefully to passengers as well as my colleagues in Parliament.
“The proposals that have resulted from this process do not meet the high thresholds set by ministers, and so the government has asked train operators to withdraw their proposals.
“We will continue our work to reform our railways with the expansion of contactless Pay As You Go ticketing, making stations more accessible through our Access for All programme and £350m funding through our Network North plan to improve accessibility at up to 100 stations.”
Transport Focus, and London TravelWatch, received three-quarters of a million responses from individuals and organisations to the consultation on the plans to close station ticket offices.
The chief executive of Transport Focus, Anthony Smith, said: “Following analysis of the 750,000 responses to the consultation and in-depth discussions with train companies, Transport Focus is objecting to the proposals to close ticket offices.
“Significant amendments and changes have been secured by the watchdog – for example, reverting to existing times when staff will be on hand at many stations. Some train companies were closer than others in meeting our criteria.
“However, serious overall concerns remain about how potentially useful innovations, such as ‘welcome points’, would work in practice. We also have questions about how the impact of these changes would be measured and how future consultation on staffing levels will work.
“Some train companies were unable to convince us about their ability to sell a full range of tickets, handle cash payments and avoid excessive queues at ticket machines.”
Speaking on today’s announcement Dr Neil Hudson MP for Penrith and The Border said: "Our Government is absolutely on track to securing a more sustainable future for our nation's great rail infrastructure.
"Thanks to Conservative Government intervention, Penrith, Appleby and Carlisle ticket offices have all been saved. This is a tremendous win for rural communities like ours where digital connectivity challenges can hamper consumers trying to buy tickets online or by phone. Moreover, I have found throughout the process that older people and those with disabilities rely far more heavily on a personal service when travelling by rail, so no doubt there will be much delight throughout these demographics.
"I have said consistently that we must make it as easy as possible for passengers across the country to travel on our railways as we transition to a lower carbon economy. So I thank Ministers who have listened to me on this and the wealth of feeling throughout the nation and told rail operators clearly that any changes to services must meet the high threshold set by Government, which this proposal clearly did not."
The rail union RMT has today welcomed the government’s complete withdrawal of its ticket office closure plans in light of passenger watchdog objections as a complete victory.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that it was a resounding victory for the union’s campaign and a win for passengers, community groups and rail workers alike.
Mr Lynch added “We are now calling for an urgent summit with the government, train operating companies, disabled and community organisations and passenger groups to agree a different route for the rail network that guarantees the future of our ticket offices and stations staff jobs to delivers a safe, secure and accessible service that puts passengers before profit”.
Then select "Add to Home Screen"
