Sheffield Liberal Democrats object to proposed ticket office closures

The plans, proposed by the national Rail Delivery Group, are part of a proposed ‘modernisation’ drive which would see ticket office staff move onto station platforms, and would close over 1,000 ticket offices across the country. However, Liberal Democrat campaigners have expressed concern over the impact the closures will have on elderly and vulnerable passengers.
Sheffield Liberal Democrats have formally responded to the national consultation on closures, urging the government and rail companies to reconsider the plans,. Particular concern was raised around the impact on elderly and disabled residents, residents without access to the internet, and antisocial behaviour on station platforms.

Many disabled people’s organisation have objected to the closures including Disability Sheffield, RNIB, RNID, and Scope. Disabled people are already three times less likely to travel by rail than non disabled people, and disabled passengers will find it much more difficult to purchase tickets or access information and support.
Ticket offices are usually the only places with hearing loops, and mean that those with limited mobility or energy have a consistent place to go. Roving staff will not be as obvious or accessible, especially when stations are busy.

Cllr Shaffaq Mohammed, leader of Sheffield Liberal Democrats and parliamentary spokesperson for Sheffield Hallam, said:-

“Many residents in Sheffield are deeply worried about the impact these closures and hour reductions could have. Elderly and vulnerable passengers must not be abandoned on the station platform without the help they need.
Many people will still need to speak to someone in person, whether that's buying tickets, help if trains are delayed or cancelled or advice about how to continue their journey. It is therefore vital that major stations remain staffed from the first to last trains, to ensure that passengers can get assistance if they need it.
The Conservatives also need to come up with a proper plan to resolve the strikes, make tickets cheaper for everyone and get people back using our railways.”
Local residents who wish to make their views held should respond to the consultation at www.transportfocus.org.uk/ticket-office-consultation/.

ENDS

Editors notes: The full text of the Sheffield Liberal Democrats objection is as follows:-

Dear Transport Focus,
I am writing on behalf of Sheffield’s Liberal Democrat councillors to oppose the proposals to close and reduce hours in ticket offices around the country. In particular, we oppose the proposal to reduce the opening hours at Sheffield (operated by EMR) by 1h 50m, and the proposals to close the ticket offices at Meadowhall and Rotherham Central entirely.
While these proposals claim that only 12% of tickets are sold at ticket offices, this still amounts to around 180 million journeys every year.  Ticket offices provide a vital service to residents in Sheffield and South Yorkshire. Having a clearly sign-posted place in the station for people with ticket enquiries provides certainty and confidence for customers who may struggle to locate station staff.
We are particularly concerned about the impact these proposals will have on Sheffield’s elderly and disabled residents. For those with limited mobility, closures and opening hour reductions would cause significant difficulty in receiving assistance to travel.
At many stations, ticket office staff are the only staff present and their responsibilities are split between selling tickets and assisting passengers on and off trains. Knowing that there will be staff at the ticket office to assist them is a necessity for many residents, and being made to search across platforms for staff would prevent these residents from using the rail network. We note that there has been significant opposition to these proposals from disability rights organisations, including Disability Sheffield.
Digitally excluded residents will be unable to buy tickets online under these proposals. In Sheffield, 37,000 people (8.2%) used the internet “over 3 months ago / never” (latest ONS data) – these people, many of whom are likely elderly, will be required to use often inaccessible electronic machines or search around train platforms for station staff.
Not all passengers are able to use station ticket machines, or have the means to book a ticket in advance. Complicated journeys involving connections are likely to require human assistance to ensure customers purchase the most appropriate and cheapest tickets, and do not incur penalties from mis-booked tickets.
Finally, the loss of staffed ticket offices will lead to an increase in anti-social behaviour on stations and result in many passengers feeling less safe using public transport. The presence of ticket office staff acts as a deterrent against anti-social behaviour, and the knowledge that staff are available to help gives the most vulnerable travellers a feeling of security. This issue is particularly concerning when considering the proposals to reduce opening hours at Sheffield station in the evening, a time when anti-social behaviour is more likely.
For the reasons set out above, I urge Transport Focus to reject all proposals to reduce and close the opening hours of ticket offices across the country, and particularly in Sheffield and Rotherham.

Regards,
Cllr Shaffaq Mohammed, Leader of Sheffield Liberal Democrats, and Parliamentary Spokesperson for Sheffield Hallam