TSSA tells Scottish Government to ‘think again’ on ScotRail ticket office plans

TSSA – the union for rail ticket office staff – has told the Scottish Government that it is strongly opposed to any reduction in ticket office opening hours across Scotland. 

The move follows a meeting today (Wednesday) with the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop and Maryam Eslamdoust, TSSA General Secretary after ScotRail recently announced plans to reduce the opening hours at 54 ticket offices.  

The union will campaign across Scotland to halt any reduction of service and opening hours. TSSA – which has represented ticket office workers for more than 125 years - led a successful campaign against closures across England (and parts of Scotland and Wales) in 2023.

The union views ticket offices as vital to passengers, performing a welfare and security function far beyond selling tickets, a point made to Ms Hyslop in the meeting.  

Commenting, TSSA General Secretary, Maryam Eslamdoust said: “TSSA strongly opposes any reduction in ticket office opening hours and we have been clear with the Cabinet Secretary on that point.  

“We are now urging the Scottish Government to tell ScotRail – which is in public hands and under their control – that they must think again and reverse these shortsighted proposals.

“The fact of the matter is railway ticket offices are far more than simply a point of sale; they serve a crucial role in supporting passenger safety, particularly for women and girls, and provide essential support and security for transport workers.  

“If Ministers at Holyrood cast an eye southwards they will see that, just as in England, the function of ticket offices as safety hubs contribute significantly to a secure and welcoming travel environment – something the travelling public knows and well understands. 

“If we want a railway in Scotland that is open to all groups in our society then we must have fully staffed ticket offices with no reduction in opening hours." 

*ScotRail was re-nationalized on April 1, 2022, when the Scottish Government took control of the train services 

*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. TSSA was not consulted prior to the most recent announcement.