Nearly every ticket office in England to SHUT within 3 years – which could spark yet MORE chaotic train strikes
NEARLY every ticket office in England is set to close within three years, ministers will reveal tomorrow.
In a move which will infuriate unions and could spark yet more chaotic strikes, the Rail Delivery Group will bring forward plans to bin up to a thousand offices.
The Sun understands that it will involve a consultation within two months, and will have to be signed off by the Transport Secretary, Mark Harper.
The changes will be phased in over three years.
Insiders fear it will be the "final nail in the coffin" of any hopes to end a year of hellish strikes.
A formal announcement is expected tomorrow morning.
Brits will have to use self-service ticket machines instead, tap-in with their credit cards, or buy tickets on the train or online.
Ministers say it will help get workers out of kiosks and helping passengers.
But critics say it will cause hell for disabled people and the elderly who will have less help to buy tickets at their stations - and could lead to even more job losses.
Just 12 per cent of ticket sales are made through offices, with just under 1,000 ticket offices across Britain.
Most passengers book online, use machines or tap in.
Greg Smith MP, chair of the Transport Committee, told The Sun: "We need to have a realistic conversation about ticket offices, especially those that are simply not used.
"But when unions are unleashing maximum disruption, having this debate on ticket offices now is putting a rocket under union anger and will only bring more disruption for travellers.”
But TSSA Interim General Secretary, Peter Pendle said: “We are clear the government will face strong opposition from this union on the totally unnecessary mass closure of ticket offices.
“Ministers will soon realise that the public have no desire to see their rail network diminished in this way.
“The inescapable fact is booking office staff are vital because they give passengers advice and assistance on ticket information, station security and can assist those with disabilities, limited mobility or young children."
Earlier, the Department for Transport announced more plans for another 53 stations to get tap-in facilities, so people can use bank cards or Oysters by the end of the year.
Around 200 stations are expected to get pay as you go tickets, which are automatically the cheapest fares.
The Department is also working with Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT) to agree pay as you go pilots in the Greater Manchester and the West Midlands by the end of the year.
Pay As You Go is already available at over 350 stations across London and the south east.
Earlier today the TSSA rail union vowed to work hand in glove with the public to "vigorously oppose the totally unnecessary mass closure of ticket offices" across the country.
The Association of British Commuters claimed ministers "want ticket offices closed by Christmas".
The future of ticket offices has long been a key part of the pay rows with unions - which has led to rolling strikes.
Guarantees over jobs and pay were not enough, the unions said, and they rejected the deal on the table for 9 per cent hike in pay over two years.
RMT Mick Lynch said he would “bring into effect the full industrial force of the union to stop any plans".
He added: "We will not meekly sit by and allow thousands of jobs to be sacrificed or see disabled and vulnerable passengers left unable to use the railways as a result.
"RMT will bring into effect the full industrial force of the union to stop any plans to close ticket offices, including on our upcoming strike days of July 20, 22 and 29 in the national rail dispute."
They have already called three strike dates this month - 20, 22 and 29 July.
It came after Aslef boss Mick Whelen warned yesterday that there could be 20 years of strikes over their pay dispute.
15 train operators yesterday agrees to yet more action - and will refuse to work overtime from July 17 to 22.
An overtime ban until Saturday is currently disrupting services.
A four per cent pay deal which would bring drivers’ pay to £65,000 has so far been rejected.
Mr Whelan said: “We’re going to take action until someone listens.
"If we have to whistle in the wind for five, ten, 20 years to get someone to the table, this will be resolved at some point, and somebody will talk to us properly.”
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“They rejected a fair and affordable offer without putting it to their members, which would take average driver base salaries for a 4 day week without overtime from £60,000 to nearly £65,000 by the end of 2023 pay awards.
“Train companies will work hard to minimise the impact of the overtime ban overtime ban Customers are advised to plan their journey in advance and check before they travel.”