West Dorset MP calls for review of train ticket office closures
Many counters are earmarked to shut across the country
West Dorset MP Chris Loder says he's 'on a mission' to try and prevent the closure of ticket offices closures at train stations.
He's led a Westminster Hall debate on the issue, calling for the Rail Minister to 'veto the ridiculous proposals'.
In his speech, Mr Loder described South Western Railway’s claim that the proposals of ‘moving staff from behind the ticket office window to be ‘out on the station’ with no change in staffed hours’ as ‘patently untrue in West Dorset’.
He says staffed hours will be cut by 40% at Sherborne Station, and by 55% at Dorchester South Station:
“This is not reform. This is inequality, not just against those with mobility issues. But for the elderly and for those who are often without access to technology - driving still further issues of rural isolation.
"What’s more, it goes to compound years of really poor service to the people of Dorset. Slashing the train service, totally cutting us off from direct trains to London for prolonged periods, removing all on board catering for train journeys of almost 3 and a half hours and dumping passengers at all times of day and night with no way to travel forward, just to save a few minutes in delay. These are just some examples of what my constituents face.”
Before becoming an MP, Chris Loder worked on the railways for 20 years, including in the role that's due to be changed.
During a consultation on the proposals, Claire Mann, SWR Managing Director, said:
“By multi-skilling our colleagues, we can offer a customer service that aligns with what customers actually want and need, in line with their expectations from modern retailing."