Earley Town Council has responded to the public consultation on proposals that include the closure or significant reduction in provision of ticket offices at train stations across the South Western Railway network. It noted with concern, recent reports that all 980 staffed ticket offices in England could be closed, following discussions between the Department for Transport and the Rail Delivery Group and changes to the Government’s guidance relating to ticket office opening hours.
Earley Town Council believes that ticket offices provide a vital service to residents in Earley. Having a clearly sign-posted place in the station for people with ticket enquiries provides certainty and confidence for customers who may struggle to otherwise locate station staff. The changes to Earley Station ticket office, as proposed by South Western Railway, are significant. There would no longer be any ticket office facility on a Sunday or Monday and during the week the opening times would be reduced by three and a half hours each day, ticket offices services ending by 10am each morning.
Not all residents are able to use station ticket machines or have the means to book a ticket in advance and councillors are concerned that a some in their community will be disadvantaged by the proposals. 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.
Earley Town Council is concerned the closure, or huge reduction in availability, of ticket offices will disproportionately affect elderly and disabled residents in Earley – as well as those with poor literacy and IT skills. Earley Town Council also notes the possible implications for current station staff and the concerns that have been raised over possible staff redundancies.
The closing date for responses to the public consultation has been extended to 1st September 2023 and Earley Town Council would urge residents to have their say. Full details of the proposals are available at www.southwesternrailway.com/stationchange .