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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think they shouldn’t close 1,000 rail ticket offices?

356 replies

TiredArse · 05/07/2023 17:19

Latest plan to ‘improve’ the railways. Up to 1,000 will close.

We’ll be left with those shitty, self service machines that are a pain to use on a good day. Got a disability or struggle to use a machine? Tough shit. Got a query? Tough shit.

Does anyone actually believe that the money saved will reduce fares or improve services?

You can fill in the consultation form here - not easy to see, you have to click on the words ‘consultation response form’. https://www.transportfocus.org.uk/train-station-ticket-office-consultation/

OP posts:
Avondale89 · 07/07/2023 09:24

I haven’t used a ticket office in years and I take intercity trains extremely often. They’re also often next to useless. They do still tend to have reps from the various train companies available in bigger train stations that don’t have formal offices. It’s a sign of the times.

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 07/07/2023 12:34

Avondale89 · 07/07/2023 09:24

I haven’t used a ticket office in years and I take intercity trains extremely often. They’re also often next to useless. They do still tend to have reps from the various train companies available in bigger train stations that don’t have formal offices. It’s a sign of the times.

Because you use trains often it’s easy you understand the process, what ticket you need what platform.
I use them infrequently, I haven’t a fucking clue.

when you miss your train because I’m stood their dithering at the machine you’ll know why

badluckorbadvibes · 07/07/2023 12:37

Avondale89 · 07/07/2023 09:24

I haven’t used a ticket office in years and I take intercity trains extremely often. They’re also often next to useless. They do still tend to have reps from the various train companies available in bigger train stations that don’t have formal offices. It’s a sign of the times.

It's all a bit 'me me me' though. Again. So many posters seem unable to see past the end of their own noses, even when it's pointed out in the thread how detrimental it will be for thousands of people. You are not the only traveller.

Putting bad practice down as 'sign of the times' simply because it doesn't affect you is ridiculous.

lieselotte · 07/07/2023 12:57

It won't make any difference to me as you've got a better chance of winning the lottery than finding my local station ticket office open anyway.

However, I do wonder what will happen if someone buys the wrong ticket from the ticket machine. A while ago I was going to buy a ticket, but I had a hunch the machine was selling me an invalid one. I had to change at Reading. My local ticket office actually was open, and I was right - the train I was getting on at Reading was leaving Reading one minute too early for the ticket the machine was trying to sell me. Had the ticket office not been there, I could have been fined on the subsequent train.

Conversely, I might have bought a more expensive ticket to find I could have actually used the cheaper one.

To be fair, if I'd bought it online I might have got the right ticket. Recently I started using e-tickets. But not everyone has access to online ticketing. Presumably there will be nobody to call, and buy over the phone, either.

JogOn123 · 07/07/2023 14:15

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 07/07/2023 14:15

all the “doesn’t affect me”

it will, when your missing trains and getting frustrated by people like me who don’t know what platform we should be on, or what ticket we need.

badluckorbadvibes · 07/07/2023 14:26

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Ok but let's not pretend one shit member of staff is reason to close all the ticket offices

DisquietintheRanks · 07/07/2023 16:24

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 07/07/2023 12:34

Because you use trains often it’s easy you understand the process, what ticket you need what platform.
I use them infrequently, I haven’t a fucking clue.

when you miss your train because I’m stood their dithering at the machine you’ll know why

Show quote history

You really haven't used the railways in years if you think you faffing at the ticket machine is going to inconvenience the average traveller.

Fizbosshoes · 07/07/2023 16:30

Not the same thing but a prime example of "we should all embrace and learn to use tech" incident happened this morning.

Needed to book something. The email said easiest and quickest way to do was online or via the app. Logged in to the website, the option I wanted to book was not listed (despite me knowing it was available). Tried refreshing the page , tweaking details etc, option didn't come up. ...so I found a number and called....got a long spiel how it was quicker, easier and cheaper to do online or via the app. On hold for ages. With intermittent blurbs about how quick and easy it was to do online. At the same time went on social media page to ask.....and got directed by a chat bot to the website or app.

Eventually got to speak to a person and booked the option I wanted within a few minutes. If I had taken notice of all their insistence at how easy it was to do online I wouldn't have got the booking I wanted! (And I'm mid 40s, quite capable of using apps and websites, and actually prefer not to use phone helplines if at all possible.)

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 07/07/2023 17:12

DisquietintheRanks · 07/07/2023 16:24

You really haven't used the railways in years if you think you faffing at the ticket machine is going to inconvenience the average traveller.

Show quote history

I use it about every 3-6 months.
and yes I’m the twat at the gate trying to scan the wrong thing, dithering staring at the screen trying to work out the platform.

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 07/07/2023 17:14

the ticket office was closed last time I went I stood at the machine for ages trying to work it out, I ended up letting people go in front of me as they were huffing

got to the gate the ticket wouldn’t scan, don’t know why I had to be helped.

sidnt know what platform I needed and got in peoples way.

we travel among you and if they close the ticket office.
we are coming for you BlushGrin

Astsjakksmso · 07/07/2023 17:19

Well WHICH ticket offices are these?
My closest doesn't have a ticket office but has a conductor.
There is only one line so if someone is there and going the wrong way they are already in bigger trouble as we have no taxis.
Meanwhile somewjere like Knutsford has a ticket office (even worse like than ours, one train and hour and once every 2 hours on a weekend) AND you can buy tickets on the train. They can close that one, the dude has no work to do at all

Of course they can't close ticket offices atajpr stations like Manchester Piccadilly or Stockport I fail to see the problem at teeny single line stations with one train an hour.

Astsjakksmso · 07/07/2023 17:20

*at major

Chesneyhawkes1 · 07/07/2023 18:27

@Astsjakksmso Google the list. Lots of major stations on it.

lieselotte · 07/07/2023 18:35

got to the gate the ticket wouldn’t scan, don’t know why I had to be helped

happens all the time

As for the major stations I believe that Avanti West Coast has gone for a scorched earth policy and is closing everything. Including Euston - I think!

SWR is closing pretty much every ticket office over time. Maybe not London Waterloo but they don't run that one, Network Rail does.

lieselotte · 07/07/2023 18:37

In fact the ticket not working at the gates was the catalyst for me to start using the app. I was being stopped every single time. Apparently due to the fact I was having the temerity to use a railcard and must therefore be a fraudster.

But: the app version works every time. Even with a railcard, and even though I don't have to prove I have a railcard to buy the ticket via the app.

But I now use the app.

Original poster
TiredArse · 07/07/2023 18:48

Astsjakksmso · 07/07/2023 17:19

Well WHICH ticket offices are these?
My closest doesn't have a ticket office but has a conductor.
There is only one line so if someone is there and going the wrong way they are already in bigger trouble as we have no taxis.
Meanwhile somewjere like Knutsford has a ticket office (even worse like than ours, one train and hour and once every 2 hours on a weekend) AND you can buy tickets on the train. They can close that one, the dude has no work to do at all

Of course they can't close ticket offices atajpr stations like Manchester Piccadilly or Stockport I fail to see the problem at teeny single line stations with one train an hour.

Manchester Piccadilly is closing.

OP posts:
Original poster
TiredArse · 07/07/2023 18:49

And so is Stockport.

OP posts:
Orangeteddy · 07/07/2023 19:04

I don’t think many people have read the full details of the consultation, just seen the headlines and thought ‘I don’t use ticket offices so I don’t care’

Yes, some staff will be transferred to ‘customer ambassador’ roles on the platforms but the hours they’ll work will be far less than the ticket office is currently open.

If you’re disabled and need help buying tickets or boarding a train in the evening or on a Sunday tough luck, there will be no staff. If you need help transferring trains, getting a replacement bus or taxi service because the last train has been cancelled, tough luck you’re on your own. At our local station there will be no staff after 6pm despite it being a heavily used commuter station with hundreds of people pouring off trains between 6-7.30pm. What could go wrong!?

GroomedForSerfdom · 07/07/2023 20:48

Plan is for Manchester Piccadilly and London Euston ticket offices to close.

They will not re-deploy the ticket office staff onto the platforms.

It's easy to say "they wouldn't".

They are.

Shareholders aren't missing out though.

Astsjakksmso · 08/07/2023 03:34

That's ridiculous!
Off to protest/consult/whatever
I'm sure someone has a form complaint of some sort

lieselotte · 08/07/2023 10:37

Shareholders aren't missing out though to be fair, this is coming from the government, although I think some rail companies are carrying out the government's wishes more enthusiastically than others.

Lincslady53 · 08/07/2023 10:46

I rarely use the train, but this year have been on 4 rail journeys. Booked the tickets via Trainline very easy, no need for a ticket office in every station. It does need someone by the ticket machines to help those having trouble with the machines. I am 70, most of our friends are 65 to 80, and they all manage apps and technology perfectly well.

loislovesstewie · 08/07/2023 10:52

I have an adult child who is severely sight impaired, not sure how they will be able cope with no ticket office and probably no one on the concourse to assist with getting on the train.It's going to make any attempt at actually having some freedom more difficult.

badluckorbadvibes · 08/07/2023 11:00

Lincslady53 · 08/07/2023 10:46

I rarely use the train, but this year have been on 4 rail journeys. Booked the tickets via Trainline very easy, no need for a ticket office in every station. It does need someone by the ticket machines to help those having trouble with the machines. I am 70, most of our friends are 65 to 80, and they all manage apps and technology perfectly well.

No need for a ticket office because you and your very small sample of friends can manage?

It's getting really tedious now tbh. The 'I'm alright' train (ptp) of thought. That's absolutely wonderful that you can manage, but this isn't about you. Nobody is fighting to keep staff in ticket offices for you. The people who NEED these staff are the people we are fighting for.

If it doesn't apply to you either stay out of it or put yourself in the shoes of the many examples on this thread and join the fight.