Only months after British rail operators adopted a plan to close hundreds of rail ticket offices, the UK government has said it is no longer supporting the plan after massive backlash from passengers and others.
The plans by train operators to close the vast majority of rail ticket offices were revealed in July. The government, which bankrolls the leading rail firms, had directed them to come up with proposals to cut costs. They did so, but immediately triggered a huge backlash from passenger groups, campaigners for disabled people and trade unions.
The transport secretary has now announced that “The consultation on ticket offices has now ended, with the government making clear to the rail industry throughout the process that any resulting proposals must meet a high threshold of serving passengers.” Consumer groups reported receiving three-quarters of a million responses – from both individuals and organisations – to the consultation.
