Only 12 per cent of train tickets are bought from offices at stations, rail companies said. PA
Only 12 per cent of train tickets are bought from offices at stations, rail companies said. PA
Only 12 per cent of train tickets are bought from offices at stations, rail companies said. PA
Only 12 per cent of train tickets are bought from offices at stations, rail companies said. PA

Threat of closure looms for hundreds of rail ticket offices in England


Simon Rushton
  • English
  • Arabic

Plans to close almost every railway station ticket office in England are expected to be announced on Wednesday.

About three in five stations have a ticket office, the vast majority owned and run by train operators, which are under pressure from the government to save money amid a drop in revenue.

The plan to close the ticket offices, which will affect hundreds of stations, could intensify anger among rail workers who are already involved in long-running disputes over pay, jobs and conditions.

There are concerns the move could lead to job losses and deter vulnerable passengers, such as the disabled or elderly, from travelling by train.

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), made up of train companies, will unveil proposals to shut the ticket offices at hundreds of stations, the UK’s Press Association reported on Tuesday.

The RDG said only 12 per cent of train tickets are bought from station offices, down from 85 per cent in 1995.

Train companies believe ticket office staff would be able to serve customers better if they were on station concourses.

Passengers will be asked to pay for journeys by tapping contactless cards on barriers, using self-service machines and buying tickets on trains if possible.

Last week, Mick Lynch, general secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) warned it would “vigorously oppose any moves to close ticket offices”.

An RDG spokesman said negotiations with the union over the changes had “stalled” and the industry was “now looking at how to move forward”.

“Any changes would be subject to employee and public consultations,” he said.

“Staff always remain front of mind, so as you would expect from a responsible employer, if and when the time comes for proposals on ticket offices to be published, they will be the first to know.”

Train drivers in the Aslef union have started another two weeks of overtime bans, as part of their dispute over contract dispute.

Other rail company staff, including RMT union members who work at the stations, have also been on strike this year.

The strikes have led to extensive shutdowns of the network.

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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home. 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

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What is Folia?

Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.

Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."

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There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.

While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."

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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

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Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

Updated: July 04, 2023, 4:52 PM`