Thank you for contacting me about Govia Thameslink plans to close/reduce the opening hours of ticket offices.
I am deeply concerned about these proposals. I raised them in the debate I held in Westminster on the performance of our local train service. I have written to the company and I have also raised concerns one-on-one with the Minister responsible. As you may have seen in the local press I view the decision to undertake this consultation as “rubbing salt in the wound” given the service already being experienced by customers on the local lines.
Govia Thameslink (GTR) proposed plans include changes to the way staff work at stations and how tickets are sold, incorporating a plan to install additional ticket vending machines. Under GTR plans, staff would be moved out of ticket offices on to station concourses where GTR say they will be a visible presence, helping customers with all of their queries, providing information, offering assistance and having the ability to sell tickets when needed.
Many concerns have been raised on these plans, which have been put in the consultation. I await GTR’s response.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
