Following a public consultation, the Transport Secretary, Mark Harper has stepped in and asked that the train companies withdraw their proposals to close ticket offices.
Maria said,
‘’Back in July, I responded to the rail companies’ public consultation on the potential closure of ticket offices. In the response I expressed my serious concerns that such closures would jeopardise services relied on by some of the most vulnerable train passengers.
In particular, my response focused on the potential exacerbation of the digital divide caused by ticket offices closures, making groups who do not have access to online services, or struggle to use train apps, less likely to travel on the railway. I also outlined my concerns about the impact that closures would likely have on disabled customers who regularly use ticket offices to access mobility support and in person assistance.
I am glad that Transport Focus – the organisation collating the consultation responses – have taken these concerns, along with the concerns of the 750,000 other consultation responses, into account and have objected to the train companies’ proposals.’’
Maria’s full consultation response can be found here: Maria's response to SWR consultation on closing ticket offices | Maria Miller (maria4basingstoke.co.uk)
