DR UK CEO Kamran Mallick has written to the Rail Minister Wendy Morton to state deep concerns over plans which could lead to every train ticket office in England being shut down. It would leave passengers needing to buy their tickets online, while it is known that one in every eight tickets is still bought over the counter, in the main by Disabled people and those over the age of 65 who do not have internet access.
DR UK Rail Policy Adviser Stephen Brookes said: “Many Disabled people cannot access smartphones or live in a place with unreliable broadband and have relied on buying tickets face-to-face. What are they expected to do if everything goes online?
“It is the ability to get wide help and information on rail journeys at these offices which is crucial for those who need additional support. The offices also support those who having a range of hidden, sensory or learning disabilities are not able to use contactless, mobile smart ticket or station vending machines.”
In the ongoing work DR UK is undertaking with the rail industry, including being part of the Great British Rail transition access panel, we will be pressing at the very least for all closures to have a full impact assessment, rather than for an arbitrary cost reduction, which will create increased barriers for many Disabled people and their ability to travel by rail.