Railways in Parliament
Ticket office angst
THE continuing closure of ticket offices is a worrying development for both the travelling public and staff. So Slough MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi asked whether the Department of Transport (DfT) has made an assessment of the potential impact of closures on passengers.
Transport Minister Wendy Morton replied: “The Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail outlines the changes and modernisation needed for fares, ticketing and retailing to simplify and improve the passenger experience.
“We want to see customer-facing staff on railways and, like those whose jobs are about customer service, staff at stations may need to change what they do or how they do it to ensure that passengers get the services they most want and need.
“Staff will be able to provide a more personal touch in future, which can be crucial for those who need additional support at stations and those who cannot or do not want to use contactless or mobile tickets. The rail industry is in the lead to make sure this can happen.
“There is a process for train operators to propose any changes to the opening hours of ticket offices or for closing ticket offices which is set out in the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement. This regulates what train operators do in terms of fares ticketing and retailing across the network.
“Part of this process requires train operators to put notices at the station advising passengers of any proposals and what any changes could mean for them. If they have any objections these can be raised via the passenger bodies [Transport Focus and London Travel Watch] for consideration.
“We are not the employer of ticket office staff and therefore would not go into detail of other organisations’ employees.”
Getting back on track
SHEFFIELD Heeley MP Louise Haigh wanted the Government to launch a campaign this summer to encourage the general public to return to travelling by train.
Transport Minister Trudy Harrison said: “The Department is working closely with operators and local transport authorities to support measures to increase passenger safety, and confidence and encourage a return to the rail network.
“A campaign is being launched this spring and will continue running up to the summer to encourage the general public to return to travelling by train. The national advertising and marketing campaign ‘Let’s get back on track’ will be supported by promotions by the train operators.”
Two Together refunds
THE death of a partner is devastating and Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana wanted to know whether the DfT has carried out an equality impact assessment of bereaved partners losing access to the Two Together railcard.
Transport minister Wendy Morton replied: “The Rail Delivery Group
(RDG) is the product owner of the Two Together Railcard. While railcard terms and conditions state that they are non-refundable, a partial refund can be considered on the death of a railcard holder.
“Cases are considered individually and I would urge anyone who finds themselves in this situation to contact the RDG directly.”
Suicides worry MP
TRESPASSING on the railways is a problem that the industry has been battling for many years and Romford MP Andrew Rosindell, concerned about the number of fatalities, asked what steps the DfT is taking to protect people from trespassing on railways.
Mrs Morton replied: “The rail industry in partnership with the British Transport Police has a well-established programme of work to target trespass and disruption on the rail network. We are working hard to support these work streams to safeguard the vulnerable and deliver a safer transport network.”
Supporting refugees
UKRAINIAN refugees should enjoy free rail travel according to Lord Roberts of Llandudno, and the Life Peer wanted to know what plans, if any, the DfT has to encourage rail companies to allow refugees to take advantage of travel free of charge on UK rail networks.
Transport Minister Baroness Vere of Norbiton said: “The DfT is considering what can be offered to Ukrainian refugees by way of free rail travel, along with other Government initiatives.”