West Dorset MP slams ‘morally bankrupt' ticket office plans
Chris Loder says SWR no longer have concern for rural Dorset
South Western Railway’s (SWR) plans to reduce staff at Dorchester South train station have been called ‘morally bankrupt’ by West Dorset MP, Chris Loder.
The public consultation period for the plans closes this Wednesday (26th July).
The proposals have come about as ticket office transactions have dropped to just 12%.
In a strongly worded statement, Mr Loder said SWR is no longer a reputable operator with any concern for rural Dorset.
SWR’s plans include creating a new multi-skilled role to help customers with a wide range of issues, with staff not being confined to a single area of a station.
While Mr Loder agrees that station staff shouldn’t be kept behind a ticket office window when no one wants to buy a ticket, but says that shouldn’t be an excuse to cut staff, especially with Dorchester South’s access issues.
He said: “Among other concerns, the train company leave disabled passengers stranded and, despite a quick fix being available, they will not change the planned platform of trains at Dorchester South so disabled and elderly people can more easily board the train”.
Mr Loder concluded: “This is the sort of morally bankrupt company business that this railway company has become.”