WATCHDOGS OBJECT TO SWT TICKET-OFFICE CUTS

RMT has given a warm welcome to the objection to plans by South West Trains to slash ticket-office opening times at 114 stations lodged with the government by rail users’ watchdog Passenger Focus. However, the company has ignored the protests, which includes a widely-supported early day motion in parliament(see below), and the reports from Passenger Focus and London Travel Watch which supported RMT’s opposition to the moves. This has created a dispute situation and a ballot for strike action of members in the retail grades is being carried out. RMT and TSSA joined forces in a campaign to urge passengers to protest over plans that would leave dozens of stations without ticket offices all weekend, and dozens more without cover in the evenings and early mornings. Passenger Focus has challenged the cuts and urged the government to instruct SWT to shelve them after it received thousands of objections from passengers and postcards distributed by RMT and TSSA. Passenger Focus director Ashwin Kumar said that passengers had unanimously agreed that they wanted staff at the station for advice and assistance on ticket sales to make sure they’re getting the cheapest ticket. “We fear these plans will lead to passengers paying more for their off peak tickets than they should,” he said. Jocelyn Pearson, who has been leading Passenger Focus’s consultation, said: “We are not against change but when fares are so complex, passengers need advice from staff at the station. “In some cases the rail products they need are simply not available. Even where the ticket is offered, the complexity of the fare structure means passengers struggle to find the cheapest fare without advice,” she said. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that Passenger Focus was to be congratulated for putting the case against such unjustifiable and unpopular cuts. RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: september 2008 :: RMTnews 19 WATCHDOGS OBJECT TO SWT TICKET-OFFICE CUTS South West Trains triggers RMT ballot for strike action by ignoring Passenger Focus and London Travel Watch opposition to planned ticket closures and job losses EARLY DAY MOTION 1969 South West Trains ticket offices Tabled by Alan Whitehead MP That this House notes with extreme concern plans by South West Trains to close ticket offices and cut ticket office opening hours at 114 stations; believes that such cuts cannot be justified when these stations have seen a combined increase in passengers of nearly 27 per cent. in the last year; is further concerned that the cuts will dramatically increase the number of stations that will lose their ticket offices entirely during weekends and will leave stations unstaffed at weekends and in the evening making railway stations and passengers who use them feel less secure; believes that replacing staff with ticket machines will also reduce the quality and range of services available to passengers; and calls on South West Trains immediately to withdraw its plans.