UK govt backs down over plans to shut rail ticket offices

UK govt backs down over plans to shut rail ticket offices

Train operators had proposed axing ticket offices
Train operators had proposed axing ticket offices. Photo: CARLOS JASSO / AFP/File
Source: AFP

The UK government has scrapped controversial plans to close almost all railway station ticket offices in England, following fierce criticism from disabled campaign groups, unions and passenger watchdogs.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, trailing in the polls before a general election expected next year, in September suggested closing ticket offices was "the right thing" for the public and taxpayers.

But Transport Secretary Mark Harper said the plans would not now proceed as they "do not meet the high thresholds set by ministers".

The proposals, backed by the government, were put forward by train companies in July, as they came under pressure from ministers to cut costs and as workers strike for better pay and conditions.

Main opposition Labour party transport spokeswoman Louise Haigh welcomed the axing of "these shambolic plans".

Read also

Taiwan's Foxconn calls for 'confidence' in wake of Chinese tax probe

"The government failed to come clean on the impact of these proposals for accessibility and job security (of ticket office staff) and now have been forced into a humiliating climbdown, disowning the very proposals ministers championed from the start," she said.

Sunak's Conservatives have been shaken by a string of crushing local election victories scored by Labour in recent months.

As well as groups representing disabled people, the move to retain ticket offices will likely also play well with many core older Conservative voters.

Katie Pennick, campaigns manager at accessibility charity Transport for All, praised the "incredible tenacity of disabled people and our community for securing this major campaign victory".

"The disastrous and discriminatory proposals should never have been put forward", she added.

Harper said the government had "engaged with accessibility groups" and had now "asked train operators to withdraw their proposals".

Read also

UK prepares to host global leaders' gathering on AI

Jacqueline Starr, chief executive of rail industry group RDG, said the proposals had been about adapting the railway to the changing needs of customers "in the smartphone era", balanced with the "significant financial challenge faced by the industry".

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.