London TravelWatch has welcomed the Secretary of State for Transport’s decision not to allow ticket offices to close at South West Trains (SWT) stations, but expressed disappointment that some of its objections were disregarded.

Sharon Grant, Chair, London TravelWatch, said: “We are pleased that many of the ticket offices that SWT wanted to close will remain open after our - and the public’s - objections, and others will remain open longer than SWT proposed.”

London TravelWatch objected to South West Trains proposals, arguing that the ticket vending machines did not offer a full range of tickets, especially for those entitled to discounts and that Oyster products are not available at the stations. SWT had already withdrawn most of its proposals in the face of objections, and the Secretary of State arbitrated on the remaining proposals.

Sharon Grant continued: “Despite most of our objections being accepted, we are disappointed that Barnes, Berrylands and Strawberry Hill will still see some reduction of hours*. Passengers must be able to buy the full range of tickets and to have access to any discount to which they are entitled. If ticket machines do not have this range, it is profoundly unfair for passengers.”


*Barnes will remain open at its current hours Monday to Friday and Sunday and Strawberry Hill will retain its weekday Monday to Friday hours, and remain open on Sunday mornings.

The stations in London TravelWatch’s area: Thames Ditton, Strawberry Hill, St Margarets (Greater London), Motspur Park, Malden Manor, Hinchley Wood, Hampton, Fulwell, Clandon, Fulwell, Virginia Water, Whitton, Berrylands and Barnes.

For any media requests, please call the London TravelWatch press office on 020 7726 9953.

The voice of London's transport users
13 September 2010