Ticket office closures: RMT to hold mass rally outside Downing Street

The RMT union is set to hold a mass rally in London in a campaign to save hundreds of ticket offices across the country.

A consultation ends on September 1 on plans to close up to 1,000 ticket offices over the next three years.

On Thursday August 31 rail workers will gather outside Downing Street to “fight for the future of ticket offices”.

The protest will see RMT members, trades unionists and supporters from across the political landscape to urge the government to save ticket offices.

The union is asking people to gather at 5pm outside the Department for Transport in Westminster, where supporters will march to Downing Street for the rally.

Under the proposals some ticket kiosks will remain in larger stations, but the Rail Delivery Group claims ticket office staff will be transitioned to “customer help” roles, giving advice and supporting customers with accessibility needs.

There are concerns that the move could lead to job losses, and put some vulnerable passengers such as those who are disabled or elderly off train travel.

The RMT union claims 2,300 station staff jobs are in jeopardy.

General secretary Mick Lynch said: "The public response to the government wanting to shut every ticket office in Britain has been very encouraging.

"People from different walks of life recognise the value of ticket offices and the station staff that support passengers on their journeys.

"Rail companies and their masters in government, do not care one jot about disabled people, vulnerable passengers and those travelling alone who welcome a human presence on our railways.

"These plans lock in age and disability discrimination and if they are carried out, it will mean many vulnerable passengers will not feel safe using the network.

"I urge everyone to take part in the consultation but our campaign will continue after the closing date of September 1.

"We will be lobbying MPs, several of whom from across the political spectrum have been supportive of our campaign. And RMT will increase the pressure on the government to abandon its increasingly unpopular policy."

Jacqueline Starr, Rail Delivery Group chief executive, said the change would mean more face-to-face support, including help for those with accessibility needs.

She said: "Our commitment is that we will always treat our staff, who are hugely valued and integral to the experience our customers have on the railway, fairly, with support and extra training to move into new more engaging roles.

"We also understand that our customers have differing needs, which is why the industry widely sought the views of accessibility and passenger groups when creating these proposals, and will continue through the consultation."

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Train operator consultations on ticket offices are ongoing and no final decisions have been made.”