A CONSULTATION run by Transport Focus which proposes reductions in ticket office hours is being launched today on behalf of ScotRail. It has triggered an angry reaction from the RMT. ScotRail said ticket office usage has fallen by more than half, and the drop has been increased by the Covid pandemic.
Head of customer operations Phil Campbell said: 'There has been no real review of our ticket office opening hours for 30 years, and it is important we keep up with the changing habits of customers who no longer rely on purchasing tickets in that way.'
> Consultation document
The RMT said it was 'wholly opposed' to the cuts, which include the complete closure of the offices at Cartsdyke, Clydebank and Woodhall.
The union's general secretary Mick Lynch said: 'Cuts to ticket office hours will do nothing to restore passenger confidence in Scotland’s sustainable rail network which has a central role to play in delivering modal shift away from high carbon transport. These proposals affect nearly all of the ticket offices in Scotland and will undoubtedly worsen passenger service and accessibility as well as turning many of our stations into a mugger’s paradise.'
The consultation will run for 21 days.