Rail firms have announced plans for the mass closure of England’s ticket offices to “modernise” the railway, ramping up the battle with unions and infuriating disability and passenger groups.
NO HUMANS ALLOWED NO EYE CONTACT NO SMILING
And once again. Like most big corporations over the last 5 years or so.
Forgetting, they have a legal obligation to support visually impaired customers. Who are often completely unable to use these modernised systems.
The RDG said ticket office staff would move on to station platforms and concourses in “new and engaging roles”.
Sounds like preparation for being homeless
I remember being so confused when I visited NYC via the MTA trains. The kiosk asked me if I needed a peak time ticket but didn’t list those times. Then going back out of the city if it wasn’t for the guy in the ticket window I probably would have just had to move in to Grand Central full time.
I hope they consider changing some of this for the groups of people that need a little help.
I’m fine with this. As long as there’s staff by the machines to provide advice and assistance. Although if its going to rain, there should be a roof over their heads. Plus in case a customer gets violent, it would make sense to put up some kind of glass screen too. And maybe a queue system so people don’t bombard them.
The great thing about ticket offices is if you need someone you know exactly where to find them.
Was on the cards as soon as the ticket machines appeared at the small stations. Did people really think that was for our convenience?
It’s why the rail unions fight so hard. Everyone joins because they know what’s coming. Driverless trains, barriers everywhere, no staff at all.
I god I hate the barriers, they are always half broken, and have caused so many useful side entrances and shortcuts to stations to be closed.
Not long come back from Japan where the trains are super staffed and getting around was bliss (other than getting lost in the massive stations). Their train system is also privatised, if they can do it why can’t we?
