NEWS.CATEGORY: Industrial

TSSA response to ScotRail plans to reduce ticket office opening hours

Blue Scotrail train at platform

TSSA today issued a stark warning that ScotRail’s newly announced plans to reduce the opening hours of 54 ticket offices will increase risks of anti-social behavior and jeopardise the safety of women and vulnerable passengers across Scotland’s railways.

ScotRail initially proposed a reduction in ticket office hours in 2022, just prior to its transition to public ownership. However, former Transport Secretary Jenny Gilruth put the plan on hold to allow for comprehensive research on women’s safety in the rail network. Today’s announcement, which came without prior discussion with TSSA or key stakeholders, has been called “a bolt from the blue” by TSSA, which condemns the decision as both regressive and dangerous.

TSSA General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust expressed grave concerns over the implications of ScotRail’s actions, stating, “ScotRail’s announcement today is disingenuous, amounting to little more than backdoor staff cuts and putting women and vulnerable passengers at risk.”

Reduced hours for ticket offices often lead to entire stations being left unstaffed, diminishing essential protections against harassment and violence. Ticket office staff already perform multiple roles, including assisting passengers on platforms, supporting those with mobility needs, and maintaining revenue protection. Their presence acts as a critical deterrent against anti-social behavior, creating a safer environment for all, especially for women traveling alone or at night.

“Without staffed ticket offices, there is a significant risk that stations will become less safe, particularly for women. The presence of staff is crucial not only for managing the station’s operation but for providing a sense of security and assistance to passengers who may otherwise feel vulnerable,"

 “ScotRail’s claim that staff will remain in stations rings hollow when experience shows that staff are often reassigned elsewhere, leaving passengers without vital on-site support.”

"TSSA will vehemently oppose these plans, for the sake of our members’ jobs and, above all, for the safety of all passengers who rely on ScotRail services to travel securely," 

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