100,000 have responded to plans for mass closure of railway ticket offices and counting

The planned mass shutdown of train ticket offices has already resonated with 100,000 people.
Rail operators will close 974 ticket offices across England, with the public having 21 days until Wednesday to make their voices heard. The short period of consultation infuriated the railway companies. And today’s RMT union strike is also aimed at countering the shutdown.

Passenger watchdogs Transport Focus and London Travelwatch have found the answer. Transport Focus boss Anthony Smith said of the “huge” response, “There is still time to react. We want to hear from you so we can consider the needs of all station users and the community.”

Two disabled rail passengers filed legal challenges to the talks.

Five Labor mayors have also threatened to take the railway company to court if it doesn’t stop the project immediately. Transport Focus will consider whether stations will continue to be staffed, accessibility, other options for purchasing tickets, and whether passengers will be able to use station facilities such as elevators, waiting rooms and toilets.

The railway company claims ticket offices are no longer needed as most passengers buy their tickets online or at machines at stations. Staff will move to platforms and bus stops, but there are concerns about large-scale job losses.