Watchdog objects to ticket office proposals
London TravelWatch today objected to the First Capital Connect’s (FCC) proposals to close or reduce opening hours at its ticket offices.
At its public meeting this morning, the board agreed that the watchdog should write to FCC formally setting out its objections.
Sharon Grant, Chair, London TravelWatch, said: “We have had hundreds of representations from passengers across London - all but a few objected to the closure of the ticket office at their local station.
“Ticket offices are about so much more than just selling tickets. They provide information and add a sense of security at stations. People are deeply opposed to de-personalisation of public services.
“It is clear that many people value ticket offices and do not want to use ticket machines: they can’t answer passenger’s questions and many people find it difficult to use them. We have no hesitation in objecting to this proposal.”
At the board meeting, London TravelWatch also raised concerns about queuing times, the reliability of ticket machines and the ease of obtaining value or discounted tickets at ticket machines.
For media enquiries, please contact Jo deBank in the London TravelWatch press office on 020 7726 9953 or out of hours on 07734 055494.
The voice of London's transport users
10 February 2009