Planned train ticket office closures ‘tip of iceberg’ for visually impaired

The proposed closure of train ticket offices across the country could be the 'tip of the iceberg' for people with visual impairments, a charity has claimed.

Industry body the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) announced last month[1] that a public consultation would be held over plans to close all ticket facilities in England amid claims only around 1 in 10 passengers now use them.

45 manned ticket offices[2] in Greater Manchester have been earmarked for closure, including those at Manchester Piccadilly. The move led Conservative MPs to warn the government that the 'wholly inadequate' technology at train stations would not be a fair replacement.

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Henshaws, a sight loss charity based in Greater Manchester, has now said the situation would be 'dire' for those with visual impairments if the plans go ahead following a consultation, due to end on September 1.

"We have had a look at the plans and putting railway colleagues on platforms and near electronic offices won’t be enough, we feel," Stephen Tongue, director of fundraising said.

"Ticket offices are in a single, recognisable spot at a station and much more easily available to those with disabilities, such as a sight impairment, than having staff on the platforms wandering around.

"What do those with sight loss do if they can’t find anyone to help? What if they are struggling through with using the machine themselves and end up selecting the wrong ticket?"

Piccadilly station

The charity director said there was a need for ticket offices to stay open longer in order to provide assistance for those struggling.

Mr Tongue added: "If anything, we need ticket offices open for as long as possible and even more staff on the desks to help. The plans to shut some offices will be dire for those with visual impairments who rely on help to get their ticket.

"This is just the tip of the iceberg, though. Disabled people struggle with access to public transport across Greater Manchester and Merseyside; more help is needed to allow them on to buses, taxis, and trams, and we need to improve the service experience as a whole."

Rail firms want to shut ticket offices and allow staff to better access travellers by being on platforms. They will be able to help with tickets, medical emergencies and other duties.

The Rail Delivery Group said only 12 per cent of tickets are now booked through an office - compared to 82pc in the mid-1990s. But these figures do not consider those with additional needs, opponents say.

As part of the proposals, Northern said ticket offices at Bolton, Manchester Victoria, Manchester Oxford Road, Rochdale, Salford Crescent and Wigan Wallgate stations would remain open but will have reduced opening times.[4] 45 other stations across the city-region are earmarked for closure.

Mr Tongue added: "These plans are disastrous and will erode the independence of our service users who really do rely on these ticket offices to get around."

Jacqueline Starr, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, said: "Train companies have listened to feedback, and are extending the time available to respond to the consultation on changes to how tickets are sold at stations to 1st of September.

"Operators are keen to give more people a chance to give their views on the proposals, so they can bring the railway up to date with dramatic shifts in customer buying habits, while supporting all its customers as the railway evolves and adapts.

"While local plans vary, the aim of the proposals is to bring staff out from behind ticket office windows to offer more help for customers buying tickets and navigating stations. At the same time ticket vending machines are being upgraded to offer a wider range of fares, and we have committed that no customer will have to go out of their way to buy a ticket.

"We encourage those who want to view the plans or take part to go to their local train company website or visit Transport Focus or London Travel Watch during the consultation period."

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References

  1. ^ Industry body the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) announced last month (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  2. ^ 45 manned ticket offices (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  3. ^ by clicking here (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  4. ^ but will have reduced opening times. (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  5. ^ clicking this link (chat.whatsapp.com)

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