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South Western Railway ticket offices 'shut for weeks on end' | South Western Railway ticket offices 'shut for weeks on end' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
More than 20 ticket offices at stations run by South Western Railway (SWR) have been closed, some for weeks on end, the BBC has learnt. | More than 20 ticket offices at stations run by South Western Railway (SWR) have been closed, some for weeks on end, the BBC has learnt. |
The list, provided by a staff member, details ticket office closures between October and Christmas. | The list, provided by a staff member, details ticket office closures between October and Christmas. |
The worst was Micheldever in Hampshire, which was closed entirely for five out of eight weeks. | The worst was Micheldever in Hampshire, which was closed entirely for five out of eight weeks. |
SWR says it is working to "minimise disruption" by recruiting more staff, but training takes four months. | SWR says it is working to "minimise disruption" by recruiting more staff, but training takes four months. |
The list showed ticket offices in the south and west groups of stations which have been closed for entire weeks, including St Denys, Swaythling, Hedge End and Parkstone in Dorset. | |
Ticket offices which closed for full days include Hook, Winchester, Sway, Hamworthy, Wool, Christchurch, Pokesdown and Branksome. | Ticket offices which closed for full days include Hook, Winchester, Sway, Hamworthy, Wool, Christchurch, Pokesdown and Branksome. |
Other stations have frequently closed early, from mid-morning. They include some larger stations, such as Farnborough, Eastleigh and Southampton Airport Parkway. | Other stations have frequently closed early, from mid-morning. They include some larger stations, such as Farnborough, Eastleigh and Southampton Airport Parkway. |
In a memo to members, the RMT union said: "There seems to be a complete reluctance by the company to fill vacancies and a disregard by the company in fulfilling its franchise commitment." | In a memo to members, the RMT union said: "There seems to be a complete reluctance by the company to fill vacancies and a disregard by the company in fulfilling its franchise commitment." |
'Terrible idea' | 'Terrible idea' |
SWR has not disputed there is a shortage of staff. | SWR has not disputed there is a shortage of staff. |
Without ticket office workers, in some cases it means passengers being unable to buy tickets before boarding trains. | Without ticket office workers, in some cases it means passengers being unable to buy tickets before boarding trains. |
At smaller stations it means no SWR employees are available to assist passengers, including those with restricted mobility. | At smaller stations it means no SWR employees are available to assist passengers, including those with restricted mobility. |
A spokesperson said: "We know that recent changes in our station management teams have left the new south region temporarily short of relief staff. | A spokesperson said: "We know that recent changes in our station management teams have left the new south region temporarily short of relief staff. |
"We are now in the process of recruiting new posts to address this. Additionally, we have experienced higher than usual staff turnover." | "We are now in the process of recruiting new posts to address this. Additionally, we have experienced higher than usual staff turnover." |
Christopher Irwin of passenger group TravelWatch South West said it was a "terrible idea" not to have staffed ticket offices. | Christopher Irwin of passenger group TravelWatch South West said it was a "terrible idea" not to have staffed ticket offices. |
"Passengers need to see staff on their stations to feel safe, to give them advice, to give them help to get on to trains if they are disabled - not having staffed stations undermines all that." | "Passengers need to see staff on their stations to feel safe, to give them advice, to give them help to get on to trains if they are disabled - not having staffed stations undermines all that." |
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