CAMPAIGNERS have been fighting to protect ticket offices after proposals to close the facilities across the country. 

The government has instructed train companies to begin closing ticket offices in all train stations, a move which is opposed by the union RMT as well as many members of the community.

Whilst many now buy tickets online, ticket offices are relied on by some members of the community including the elderly and disabled.

Campaigners say ticket offices provide more than just a point of sale for purchasing a train ticket, they are an important point of contact for many travellers, a place for them to go to ask for assistance or to resolve a problem.

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On July 18, local campaigners joined with members of the RMT to speak with commuters coming in and out of the train station about these proposed ticket office closures.

Campaigners were encouraging members of the public to have their voices heard in the ongoing consultation, which runs until July 26, in the hope of protecting the ticket office in Basingstoke, and likewise across the country, from closure.

RMT also have strikes coming up on July 22 and July 29, where they will protest against ticket office closures and station staff cuts.

Labour Party campaigner, Zander West, said: “It’s my belief that public transport should be a public service, striving to do public good. My family and I have lived in this town my whole life, it’s a town full of commuters that rely heavily on our train station and the fantastic services the staff there provide.”

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“Many of the station’s regular users that we spoke to on July 18 were elderly or have accessibility needs, those people often rely on having a ticket office with attendants they can speak to in order to buy their ticket or ask for help and information.

"We can’t let this so-called progress leave huge swathes of our community behind. Many jobs will also be at risk if these closures happen, which is a really worrying thought during a period of economic trouble.”

For more information on ticket office closures visit rmt.org.uk/campaigns/rail/save-ticket-offices.