Documents seen by the Daily Mirror suggest that train Companies operating in our region have admitted passengers will be put at risk of being swindled by crooks and railway stations made to feel less safe by shutting ticket offices.
TransPennine Express say:
@Vulnerable customers can use the Ticket Offices and waiting rooms as a point of safety and refuge. Not having this centralised location or having the opening times of waiting rooms altered may leave some customers feeling anxious about being at the station.”
“Disabled customers may potentially be victims of financial extortion if they need to give their bank card to others to assist them with purchasing tickets.”
“Older people may be socially isolated, and the Ticket Office offers them the opportunity to have a conversation with other members of their community.”
Northern say that “The reduction in the presence of staff may create a perception amongst customers that stations are less safe than they are today. Vacant buildings maybe subject to vandalism, squatters, fires, antisocial behaviour, and general damage if not secured appropriately. This may deter passengers from travelling due to the appearance of an unsafe environment… There may be blind spots in the station, i.e., no CCTV coverage, which are prone to instances of anti-social behaviour and crime.”
“Customers at 131 stations will not be able to use cash to purchase ticket products in or at the station, impacting those who rely on cash as a payment method. This will particularly impact the elderly, and/or communities that are more deprived, as they are more likely to prefer cash as their valued form of money.”
While Avanti West Coast say:
“Ticket offices are a known space for passengers to find staff and receive assistance, not just for purchasing tickets. This could result in passengers not receiving the support they need leading to them no longer choosing to travel by rail.”
“Ticket offices have hearing loops installed at counters. If there is a lot of background noise, staff can support customers and take them to a quieter area to communicate.”
