Protest outside Worthing station over reduced ticket office hours
Leaflets were handed out to commuters to raise awareness that up to 28 railway stationsâ ticket offices could be affected by reduced hours or shut down completely.
Chairman of Worthing West Labour Party, Jim Deen, said: âWeâre drawing attention to the proposed closure of a number of ticket offices across stations along Southern Rail lines; particularly Worthing where thereâs a proposal that there will be just ticket service during core rush hour times.â
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Hide AdMr Deen said if anyone wants to make an enquiry, has a specialist request or suffers from a disability, they will not be able to ask for assistance during certain times of the day.
âIts also a safety thing, having people around particularly when itâs out of rush hour times â people will feel more vulnerable,â he added.
Southern Rail has allowed a 21 day window for train users to share their opinion of the proposed changes before March 13.
Leaflets were handed out, which included a form to fill out and send to passenger body Transport Focus in objection to the proposals.
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Hide AdThe Railway Maritime Transport Union (RMT) council representative, Peter Taggart, said he has requested Southern Rail for statistics to show the customer footfall.
He said: âAnyone with any disability or using rail cards wonât be able to get there tickets.
âItâs not a good idea and itâs only going to be public opinion which will help keep them open.â
A representative of the Transport Salaried Staff Association (TSSA) worked as a ticket officer before his retirement four years ago.
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Hide AdHe said: âIâm very annoyed for my former colleagues and for the public.
âThey are reducing staff also.
âStaff that took the job on because itâs an inside job will have to spend it outside all day long in winter.â
Chairman of Worthing Trades Council, Dan Sartin, said: âWe have seen the rail service absolutely ruined by privatisation and they now want to close down our ticket stations.
âPeople in Worthing are going to suffer because of this.â
Train users can raise their concerns to Transport Focus by emailing [email protected] before Sunday, March 13.
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Hide AdThere is also a petition to oppose the proposed changes. To read the story, click here
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