The proposed closure of ticket offices at Denmark Hill, Peckham Rye and Queens Road will hit local people who already get a raw deal on public transport. Passenger numbers are going up but not the frequency of train services.
Ticket offices provide reassurance to passengers and provide more services than those offered at a ticket machine. At a ticket office, passengers have access to a wider range of tickets both in terms of price and in terms of the type of ticket they are buying. Passengers, especially those who are vulnerable or disabled, feel reassured by a ticket office. Govia Thameslink must put passengers first.
In her letter today to Govia Thameslink CEO Charles Horton, Harriet Harman MP demanded answers:
Ticket offices provide a range of services to many of my constituents. Denmark Hill station services passengers from nearby hospitals, Kings College and Maudsley. Ticket offices provide reassurance to all passengers but especially those who are vulnerable and may struggle to use ticket machines due to mobility or sight issues.
I am very concerned that the above ticket offices are set to close in June of this year and would be grateful if you could answer the below questions:
- How many customer contacts does each of the ticket offices have each day
- If the ticket offices close, will the ticket machines on the platform be upgraded so passengers can purchase monthly, quarterly and yearly travel cards?
- If the ticket offices close, will more ticket machines be installed to prevent long waits?
- What provisions will be made for passengers with a disability who struggle to use ticket machines?