Ticket offices at risk of closure
Union warns move would be ‘disastrous’ for passengers
A rail union has warned that dozens of Sussex ticket offices are at risk of closure.
The RMT claims there are ‘imminent’ plans by the rail industry for mass closures of offices across the network in England. The list of stations they say are at risk includes
Balcombe, Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath, Hassocks, Plumpton, and Wivelsfield, as well as many more across Sussex. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said ‘the floodgates have now been opened for an annihilation of ticket offices across the network’ and said it would be ‘disastrous’ for passengers.
A rail union has warned that dozens of Sussex ticket offices are at risk of closure.
The RMT claims there are ‘imminent’ plans by the rail industry for mass closures of offices across the network in England.
The union says it understands the government has amended guidance relating to any changes to opening hours ‘clearing the way for train operating companies to seek to cut or close the majority’.
The RMT has launched a public and political campaign to fight any ‘short-sighted and damaging attacks and will be taking our message to passengers and politicians that they need to act now to protect their ticket offices’.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “The rail industry has made no secret of its goal of closing all ticket offices, and the floodgates have now been opened for an annihilation of ticket offices across the network.
“Ticket office staff not only enhance the passenger experience, but they ensure our railways are safe, secure and accessible. Wholescale ticket office closures would be disastrous for passengers and leave our railway deserted. Disabled and elderly passengers will be particularly affected.
“This once more proves that the government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda is a sham and that England’s rail is being downgraded driving unnecessary social tensions between Britain’s nations and demonstrating a political choice has been made to downgrade England’s rail users compared to Wales and Scotland.”
The RMT has listed the following ticket offices in West Sussex it says are at risk of closure:
Railway stations operated by Southern:
Angmering, Arundel, Balcombe, Barnham, Billingshurst, Bognor Regis, Burgess Hill, Chichester, Christ’s Hospital, Crawley, Durrington, East Grinstead, Ford, Gatwick Airport, Goring, Hassocks, Haywards Heath, Horsham, Ifield, Lancing, Littlehampton, Littlehaven, Pulborough, Shoreham, Southbourne, Southwick, Three Bridges, Wivelsfield and Worthing.
A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators, said: “The pandemic has been an unprecedented financial shock to the railway.
“While no decisions have been taken over ticket offices, with the acceleration of changing travel patterns and more passengers migrating to digital technology, many jobs will need to change to become more passenger-centric.
“Train companies want to work with unions on how to address those changes, while making sure the industry takes no more than its fair share from the taxpayer.”