TSSA kicks off save Scotland’s railway ticket offices campaign.

Rail union TSSA kicks off a campaign of action on Friday against ScotRail’s plans to drastically reduce the opening hours of 101 ticket offices.

Activists from the union will be joined at 11:30am today(Friday 22nd November) at Blairhill station in Coatbridge by SNP MSP Fulton McGregor, with TSSA calling for cross party resistance after similar plans were widely rejected last year in England.

 The union will warn passengers and passers-by that Blairhill will lose 53 hours of ticket office staffing a week, a move which will lead to passengers paying more for their tickets, and reduce safety and accessibility for women, girls and people with disabilities.

 TSSA General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said, “These cuts will leave women and girls more vulnerable, as reduced staffing increases the risk of anti-social behaviour and makes stations feel less safe, especially at night.

 “Ticket office staff play a crucial role in providing a reassuring presence for women and other vulnerable passengers. The changes would also make it harder for those with disabilities or learning difficulties to get the assistance they need and ensure they receive the best deals on tickets.”  

 The union has launched a petition calling on Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, to direct ScotRail to abandon the reductions in ticket office hours and commit to keeping stations staffed in the future.

Notes to editors

For more information contact Liz Warren-Corney, Media and Communications Officer 07341737817

TSSA is an independent trade union for the transport and travel industries. We have thousands of members right across the UK and Ireland, working for the railways and associated companies, as well as ferries, bus services and the travel trade.