Protest at Darlington Station over ticket office closures

Plans to close almost every ticket office in the country were revealed earlier this month as part of cost-cutting measures.

The Rail Delivery Group said only 12 per cent of tickets were now bought at ticket offices and staff would be redeployed.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham warned that more than 2,000 jobs could be lost as a result of the closures.

Picture: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest (Image: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest)

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The Northern Echo headed to Darlington Station, the birthplace of the railway, to speak with people about how they feel about the plans to close up to 1,000 ticket offices at stations across the country.

Representatives from the Transport Salaried Staff Association (TSSA) as well as some local councillors were there to have their say.

Jane Mitchell, who uses a mobility scooter due to her disability is worried about the impact on ticket office closures for people like her.

Ms Mitchell said: “It just makes it pretty impossible for people like me, and elderly people, to get about. I can buy tickets online but you often don’t get the best options (price-wise).

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“Also, different train networks have different provisions in place for disabled travellers and if I can’t ask the staff about this before travelling it’s just ridiculous.

“I can’t just stay at home. I’ll go crazy.”

Jane Mitchell is unimpressed with the proposals to close ticket offices at stations. Picture: Aja Dodd, Newsquest (Image: Aja Dodd, Newsquest)

Cllr. Matthew Snedker from Darlington Green Party said: “I’m obviously very much against the job losses this will cause.

“Customer service is a huge part of public transport, but if people can’t ask staff about the most cost-effective ways to travel, how is that better customer service?

“Travel should be accessible and affordable.”

Cllr. Matthew Snedker from Darlington Green Party said public transport should be safe, accessible, and affordable. Picture: Aja Dodd, Newsquest. (Image: Aja Dodd, Newsquest)

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Cllr Roz Henderson from Darlington Green Party said: “I’m completely against the closures. Darlington station is being upgraded but services are being downgraded and excluded many people from using it.”

Cllr. Roz Henderson from Darlington Green Party said Darlington Station. Picture: Aja Dodd, Newsquest (Image: Aja Dodd, Newsquest)

Jerry Wines, organiser for the TSSA said: “The job losses this will cause is ridiculous. This is actually going backwards, not forwards.

“This will result in those who are elderly or disabled being isolated.

“Not everyone can book tickets online or use the ticket machines, they should still be able to travel by rail.”

Jerry Wines, organiser from the TSSA, is worried for the job losses the closures will cause. Picture: Aja Dodd, Newsquest (Image: Aja Dodd, Newsquest)

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Maryam Eslamdoust is running to be general secretary of the TSSA and she told us ticket offices are vital for the safety of passengers.

Ms Eslamdoust said: “Of course, so many jobs will be lost if we allow ticket offices to close.

“Passenger safety is clearly not being prioritised here.

“People over profit.”

Picture: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest (Image: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest)