Plans for the proposed closure of around 860 rail ticket offices in England have been abandoned after a U-turn in government policy.
Rail Delivery Group (RDG) first announced the mass closure of staffed ticket offices this summer, citing that only around 12 per cent of tickets were still purchased this way.
However the cost-cutting proposal sparked major backlash, particularly from unions and disability groups, with the Transport Committee saying measures went “too far, too fast“.
Around 750,000 responses were received by public watchdogs during the consultation process, with 99 per cent of people opposing the proposals.
Today, Transport Secretary Mark Harper revealed the government has told train operators to withdraw their proposals, as they “failed to reach the high threshold of serving passengers.”
In response to the government decision, Jacqueline Starr, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group said:
“These proposals were about adapting the railway to the changing needs of customers in the smartphone era, balanced against the significant financial challenge faced by the industry as it recovers from the pandemic.
“While these plans won’t now be taken forward, we will continue to look at other ways to improve passenger experience while delivering value for the taxpayer. Our priority remains to secure a vibrant long-term future for the industry and all those who work in it.”