TSSA response to ScotRail decision to cut Ticket Office opening hours

TSSA today condemned ScotRail’s decision to cut the opening hours of nearly a hundred station ticket offices, despite negotiations with trade unions and public feedback indicating widespread opposition.

Petitions organized by TSSA and other rail unions have gathered over 6500 signatures opposing the cuts to ticket offices. However, ScotRail has carried out no public consultation since 2022 and has chosen to press ahead with ticket office hour cuts.

TSSA General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said: “ScotRail’s announcement is disingenuous, hiding the fact that ninety-seven ticket offices will have their hours cut, with staff relocated to other stations or redeployed across the station.

“This is terrible news for women and girls, disabled passengers and others who rely on their ticket office to help them buy the right ticket, keep them safe and help them on and off the train.

“It is a disgrace that ScotRail has chosen to press ahead with these sweeping cuts, despite the public opposition. Ultimately the blame for ScotRail’s actions rests with the Scottish Government. As a publicly-owned railway ScotRail should be run in the public interest. Scottish Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop needs to step in now and put a stop to these cuts.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

ScotRail’s Original Proposals

30 stations – no changes
47 stations – reduced ticket office hours, staff to remain on station
54 stations – reduced ticket office hours, staff to relocate
12 stations – increased hours

Total: 143

ScotRail’s New Proposals

34 stations – no changes
66 stations – reduced ticket office hours, staff to remain on station
31 stations – reduced ticket office hours, staff to relocate
6 stations – increased hours

Total: 143

Ultimately the responsibility for decisions about ScotRail rests with the Scottish Government.

It’s essential that we make it clear to MSPs that the public are opposed to cutting the hours of ticket offices. 

That’s why we’ve set up an easy-to-use “Write to your MSP” tool. Simply click the button below, enter your postcode and address and the rest is done for you. It takes less than five minutes.

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