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RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: september 2023 :: RMTnews
4
A mass rally saw RMT
members, trades unionists,
disability campaigners and
supporters march on Downing
Street last month to tell the
government in no uncertain
terms that ticket offices must
be saved.
The rally took place a day
before further strike action
earlier this month by 20,000
railway staff working on 14
train operating companies in
the long-running dispute over
working conditions, job
security and pay.
A consultation on the
future of ticket offices by
transport watchdogs London
TravelWatch and Transport
Focus has received over
700,000 responses and the
union has built a broad
campaign to stop the de-
humanisation of the rail
network.
Current plans will see up to
1,000 ticket offices closed and
2,300 rail jobs are in jeopardy.
RMT general secretary Mick
Lynch told protestors that the
public response to the
government wanting to shut
every ticket office in England
had 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
government masters 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.
“We hope that the
watchdogs will reflect on the
huge opposition to this
monumental act of social
vandalism and defend a
universal public service which
should be available to all.
“The drive to close ticket
offices in the name of profits
is clearly a political decision of
this out-of-touch Tory
government and it must be
stopped,” he said.
London TravelWatch and
Transport Focus will publish
the response to each train
company’s proposal by
October 31 and if they object
the train company can refer its
proposal to the Secretary of
State for a final decision.
SAVE OUR TICKET
OFFICES RALLY
RMT calls for closure plans to be abandoned after
transport watchdogs receive over 750,000 responses