People in Bath have until tomorrow, Wednesday 26th July, to have their say on proposals to close rail ticket offices across the region.
A GWR train arriving at Bath Spa Railway Station | Photo © Colin Peachey / Shutterstock.com
Great Western Railway, the West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris and local councillors are urging people to take part in the public consultation on the plans, which would see ticket offices closed and staff moved to other areas of stations.
Dan Norris has said there should be a “pause and time for reflection” on the “rushed” proposals, which would affect Bath Spa, Oldfield Park, Keynsham, Bristol Temple Meads, Filton Abbey Wood, Bristol Parkway and Yate, where an estimated 600,000 paper tickets were sold last year.
Great Western Railway says the use of online and digital ticketing has increased over the past four years, and just 14.5% of GWR tickets are now sold at ticket offices.
The changes would align the rail industry with many other retailers, including banks, which have offered counter-free services for over a decade.
Speaking about the closures, the Metro Mayor said: “It has become increasingly clear to me in recent days that ministers are set on railroading these botched and rushed plans through in just 21 days, whatever the consequences, and without consideration for the future success of the railway.”
Mr Norris has accused ministers of “dodging accountability” by rushing through the changes, pointing out that the watchdog that will decide on whether the closures should get the green light had raised concerns about the speed of the process.
He continued: “Many West of England residents value ticket offices and the staff who offer important advice. A machine just isn’t the same.
“This feels ideological. Why a blanket ban on ticket offices? Shouldn’t we see what works best for passengers in each station?
“We need to do everything we can to encourage people onto trains. Not put up barriers. That’s all the more vital if we are going to try to reach our ambitious net-zero targets locally.
“And for those working at train stations, there is also the extra worry of how these closures will affect their livelihoods, especially with the mixed messaging coming from operators, and from government.
“I’m also really concerned this consultation isn’t properly taking into account the people who will feel the impact of these changes the most, and it is turning into little more than a rubber stamping exercise for ministers.”
Combe Down councillor Onkar Saini spoke at a Bath & North East Somerset Council meeting last Thursday, 20th July, and highlighted the potential impacts on people who rely on being able to find and speak to a member of staff.
Councillor Saini said: “We must consider the impact on various vulnerable groups within our community.
“Our elderly residents, persons with disabilities, individuals with limited literacy and IT skills, and those with visual impairments heavily depend on the support and guidance of staffed offices.
“By closing these ticket offices, we essentially deny them their right to access transportation services, hindering their independence and participation in our society.
“Moreover, let us remember that Bath is a renowned tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the globe.
“The ticket offices are vital in welcoming and assisting tourists, ensuring their seamless travel experience. If we allow these ticket offices to close, we not only inconvenience our visitors but also risk damaging our local economy and the prosperity of our businesses.”
A spokesperson for GWR said: “Digital tickets and mobile phones means our ticket office staff are helping around half the number of people they did in 2019.
“It makes sense to move staff where they can be more help to more customers, and provide more training to help with a wider range of issues – like assisting those with reduced mobility through stations and onto our trains.
“This consultation is designed to allow the public to test and examine our proposals, and make sure our plans are compliant with the safeguards put in place at privatisation so that the needs of customers will still be met.”
Responses to the consultation can be made via GWR here or Transport Focus here.
