Thank you to the 190+ people who have now signed this petition to save the ticket offices in Worcestershire!

Today it has been published that the rail firms have each conducted Equality and Diversity Impact Assessments, setting out how older and disabled passengers will be affected. Below are the damning results of these assessments, in the own words of rail firms, and further proof that closing our ticket offices is entirely the wrong thing to do.

TransPennine Express
“Vulnerable customers can use the Ticket Offices and waiting rooms as a point of safety and refuge. Not having this centralised location or having the opening times of waiting rooms altered may leave some customers feeling anxious about being at the station.”

“Disabled customers may potentially be victims of financial extortion if they need to give their bank card to others to assist them with purchasing tickets.”

“Older people may be socially isolated, and the Ticket Office offers them the opportunity to have a conversation with other members of their community.”

Northern
“The reduction in the presence of staff may create a perception amongst customers that stations are less safe than they are today. Vacant buildings maybe subject to vandalism, squatters, fires, antisocial behaviour, and general damage if not secured appropriately. This may deter passengers from travelling due to the appearance of an unsafe environment… There may be blind spots in the station, i.e., no CCTV coverage, which are prone to instances of anti-social behaviour and crime.”

“Customers at 131 stations will not be able to use cash to purchase ticket products in or at the station, impacting those who rely on cash as a payment method. This will particularly impact the elderly, and/or communities that are more deprived, as they are more likely to prefer cash as their valued form of money.”

South Western Railway
“Potential of negative impact of Ticket Vending Machines: Not accessible for wheelchair users due to the height of the screen and card reader. No audio available so not accessible for visually impaired customers and customers with reduced literacy levels. For customers with visual impairments the contrast on the TVM screen is a challenge… There is a risk that some customers may feel like children if a member of staff has to push the buttons on [their] behalf.”

“With fewer staffing hours available at some station, concerns have been raised about customers who are in a vulnerable state and wish to end their life.”

Chiltern Railways
“With the removal of the ticket office, some customers may be unable to understand, be familiar with, or find it difficult to use technology. These customers would typically use the ticket office facility and may prefer to use cash to purchase tickets. They may not trust the contactless payment system or remember their Chip & Pin code and also prefer the interaction with staff to book and fulfil their travel needs. The ticket office often provides them with confidence that their travel needs will be looked after.”

Avanti West Coast
“Ticket offices are a known space for passengers to find staff and receive assistance, not just for purchasing tickets. This could result in passengers not receiving the support they need leading to them no longer choosing to travel by rail.”

“Ticket offices have hearing loops installed at counters. If there is a lot of background noise, staff can support customers and take them to a quieter area to communicate.”

Greater Anglia
“Ticket office reforms will cause anxiety for those customers who are more reliant on human interaction to travel - in general but also at specific times, e.g. during periods of disruption.

“Crime, anti-social behaviour and fear of crime (including hate crime) may increase as ticket offices are closed and static colleague presence reduced.”

We have until 23:59pm on the 1st September to get as many signatures on this petition to support our cause, so please keep continuing to share this around and push it forward!

Equality and Diversity Impact Assessment Quote Source: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/rail-firms-admit-elderly-disabled-30801357