Rail ticket office closures will put off passengers and affect the vulnerable, says Council Leader

*consultation deadline extended to Friday 1 September 2023*

South Oxfordshire District Council Leader Cllr David Rouane is writing to GWR to raise concerns that proposed closures of ticket offices at railway stations in South Oxfordshire will affect vulnerable passengers and put people off using public transport.

Cllr David Rouane said: “We need to remove barriers to the use of public transport rather than private cars, and safety concerns for those travelling alone constitutes one of those barriers. These concerns have prompted me to write to GWR about the proposed changes and raise these issues.

“I will seek assurances from the companies that the closure of ticket offices is not a back door to reducing the number of staff present on stations to provide advice, support and reassurance to all travellers but especially to the most vulnerable.

“Although my local station Didcot is very busy and generally well-staffed throughout the day, I am aware that those using smaller stations such as Culham, Goring or Cholsey will have greater concerns.

The consultations are happening as part of an industry-wide set of proposals, from rail companies under the Rail Delivery Group.

To share your views on the issue you can respond to the consultation on changes to ticket offices by going to the GWR website https://www.gwr.com/haveyoursay

Notes to editor’s

See the Leader’s Statement on our website for more details