In a win for activists, train companies have postponed contentious plans to close almost all ticket offices in England.
Proposal to Close Railway Ticket Offices
According to Mirror, the train companies suddenly revealed their plans to shut down 974 ticket offices earlier this month. Those who are aged, handicapped, or otherwise unable to utilize the internet or station ticket machines may be adversely affected.
To offer customers more time to weigh in on the controversial proposals, rail officials said they would extend the call for feedback by five more weeks.
The consultation, which was originally set to finish at midnight on Wednesday, July 26, has now been extended until September 1. This will give opponents of the ideas an additional opportunity to voice their opposition.
Reportedly, the crisis negotiations between the Department of Transport and railway operators resulted in a decision to extend the procedure.
According to Rail Delivery Group CEO Jacqueline Starr: "Operators are keen to give more people a chance to give their views on the proposals, so they can bring the railway up to date with dramatic shifts in customer buying habits while supporting all its customers as the railway evolves and adapts."
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Getting Feedback From the General Population
In a statement to Mirror, independent watchdog Transport Focus CEO Anthony Smith said they had received more than 170,000 comments already. These comments are being recorded and analyzed alongside suggestions from specific railway companies.
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has asked train companies to make consultation materials accessible through big print and braille. "Since plans to close train ticket offices were announced, we have heard in great detail from blind and partially sighted people about the hugely damaging impact that this will have on their ability to travel independently, to buy tickets, and arrange assistance," said Matt Stringer, chief executive of the RNIB.
Two handicapped individuals who utilize train services threatened legal action over the consultation.
Doug Paulley, who uses a wheelchair and has trouble hearing, and Sarah Leadbetter, who is legally blind, both felt it was discriminatory. They said the public was not given sufficient time to reply to some of the most significant changes to railroad operations in a generation, arguing that they were only given 21 days.
It was also reported that five Labour mayors had vowed to sue railway companies unless they immediately halted their plans.
Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, warned that extending the "completely flawed" consultation process was not sufficient.
Meanwhile, Conservative transport minister Huw Merriman has defended the consultation. He called it "a robust process." A few weeks ago, he made the following statement: "I fundamentally believe that rather than the railway being stuck in the past, the railway needs to adapt and change in the manner that its passengers are doing so."
Passengers outside London may fill out this form on the Transport Focus website to voice their opinion. Passengers traveling in and around London are encouraged to provide feedback at ticketoffice@londontravelwatch.org.uk.
