The biggest loss to the railway in decades... Save Ticket Offices

[@JenOnTheMove]

A few notes: * Respond to the consultation here: www.transportfocus.org.uk/train-station-ticket-office-consultation/ * While I would have loved to have included more voices - I was very limited on who was available at short notice for the production of this video. * At East Didsbury, you see me holding a ticket. This was a promise to pay ticket from part of that scene that didn't make the final cut * I have not included my usual Patreon / Member thank you in this - it doesn't feel appropriate in context. Go watch my other videos, if you like what I do and do want to support - links are in those places. * Save our bloody ticket offices.

[@ametrinemoon]

It even effects us coming down from the north. Staff are there when there is issues with the lines, they are knowledgeable on the lines and that is scotrail. When I was travelling to glasgow via dundee, and I got to dundee and there was issues further down the line, thankfully the staff were there to help us. What happens when something happens on the line? I used the link and they are closing edinburgh? That's where the waiting place and access to burger king and M&S are for getting food for the train home. through the waiting room.

[@jaybee1921]

Hello Jen, I truly support what you are doing in making as many people as possible aware of this mad idea. There is another problem that has not been properly thought out. Off duty and retired rail staff that need to purchase priveledge tickets, the computerised ticket machines do not appear to have been set up for that process, aaand as I understand it the barriers are potentially going to be linked to these machines, so no ticket-no entry...Now, as most people know we do get free travel as well but only on so many occasions. So, the drum needs banging loud and clear...If you need a hand in Manchester at any time, let me know, ok? Take care, Jon B.

[@RichardWatt]

I've put in a reply: my mum uses trains as well, and she needs the staff to help her buy tickets as she doesn't have a computer and she shouldn't have to ask a friend or use the phone to buy them (she does have some issues with her hearing). She also needs mobility assistance when travelling on trains, and the station staff are always helpful to her. Without them, I think she wouldn't be able to use the trains. Also, the station staff often know about tickets that aren't on the ****ing apps and websites, and can give information. This plan is digital exclusion - our MP (Zarah Sultana) is very keen on dealing with this issue, perhaps we should be engaging our MPs as well?

[@BritishTrainspotting]

Even as a rail geek there are MANY things I do not know because of how stupidly complex the railway and ticketing system is. Staff are extremely helpful to help me make sure I know how to get to where I need to on the desired service, and as someone who is vulnerable they also give me peace of mind that I am safe.

[@daveherbert6215]

Love what you're doing. I/we need ticket office staff. The.ticketing system is so complicated that I need help from a person. AI is not as good as a human being in dealing with these complexities. The pricing structure of on line ticketing deliberately penalises purchase of tickets from ticket offices. This should be reversed. The government should finance the railways properly, I see it aiding the environment by making rail travel cheaper down with internal flights around GB, lorries and unnecessary car journeys. Privatisation has been a disaster. Renationalise the Railways. 😊

[@Sim0nTrains]

Well f***ing said Jen and Stu and I 100% agree, it's not just about ticket office closure, it's about people safety and I can give you a perfect example that I witnessed back in 2021 in Scotland at Carluke. There no staff at that station after 2pm and what happened was just after half 7 in the evening, myself and my friend and saw this person in distress, he came to us and wanted help to get to Wishaw to get help as his mental heath was bad. So there were a few trains planned to pas through and didn't give a f**k about them as helping this person was more important, he just kept on talking while we listened, went over the footbridge with him onto the other platform, even my friend was chatting to him and the person who was in distress even had suicidal thoughts as well, But ended up helping him onto the train, my friend had a chat with the conductor onboard and he even join in the conversation and was very helpful by chatting and listening to the person who was in distress and when we got to Wishaw, the person thanked us, got off the train and left the station and honestly cannot imagen what would had happened if myself and my friend weren't there at Carluke . Railway staff behind the ticket office are not there just to sell tickets. They are there for people safety and you take that safety away, the Railways will become a unsafe place.

[@chriscrew6541]

Errr....Your point being? No ticket office staff involved then, and can you really not express yourself without using expletives?

[@Sim0nTrains]

@@chriscrew6541 Okay then express myself without using expletives (even know the expletives were censored which I cannot see a problem with that) But yes my story has no staff involved, expect for the conductor on the train, which you're correct, but the POINT is which I've mentioned that Railway Staff are there for people safety, You take away those people behind the ticket office who's going to watch the station? Because people behind the ticket office can monitor the entire station from a ticket office using CCTV as well as well as selling tickets, so if anyone is in distressed on the station and they're ready to jump they can act quickly to help that person but without the staff at the stations.... who going to help people who are in distress?

[@Sim0nTrains]

@@garethhenshaw There was one time I did kind of had a moan in Newport (South Wales) as platform 2 and 3 were out of use which no one was allowed on them BUT there were other enthusiasts on the platform, S decided to go down the bottom end of platform 1 and one member of staff came up to me and wanted me to move down the platform, I replied that's fine but why are those people are on platform 2 and 3 when the platform is closed? But he said he look into it... he didn't But it also half these railway stations are not disable access friendly, one of my local stations Rugeley Trent Valley has 3 platforms and no lifts, just a footbridge and if a disable person in a wheelchair comes off the train at Rugeley Trent Valley from Cannock but want to go to London.... they're screwed as they cannot cross the footbridge, most likely they would had to travel to Stafford to get a train to London from Stafford

[@emilyjules5141]

I agree with pretty much everything said. One of the comments near the end of the video made it even more interesting. It was about railcards. If someone wants to buy a railcard but don't have or struggle with the Internet, they can't realistically buy one unless they buy one by post.

[@JenOnTheMove]

It's gonna be so hard to buy anything but basic tickets

[@exploringallukstations2022]

Fantastic video Jen and Stuart Totally Agree with you both we need to keep ALL not some ALL ticket offices open let’s hope they don’t go through with their horrific plan ❤

[@anthonygraham8838]

I HATE TVM's with a passion, as I do self checkouts in a supermarket. Hate is such a strong word but Ticket Offices as you have rightly stated serve more than just 'A' place to buy 'A' ticket. And I say this as one who works for a long distance operator based on the WCML. A lot of my work mates will ultimately pay the price of these machines. Go to most stations in Europe and they have fully manned ticket offices.

[@BlossomBirb]

Thank you for making this video, ticket offices are so vital and are so important for safety and accessability for all rail users.

[@fredstrainandbusvids.]

At my local station, if the office closes then half the facilities including toilets will probably be gone

[@bigmaccas1108]

came over from Nick's channel when you both did a pointless journey. New subscriber, loving the content! Also this video is very important and I hope lots of people see it.

[@Del-bm]

Great video, I totally agree it's crazy to close them

[@woofit1231]

i agree we need ticket offices. i can see people just getting on trains with out buying a ticket. some of the stations that don't have a ticket offices. where i use to live in Barnt green before they had 2 ticket offices the amount of times the mashince would be down was a joke. so if i was going to Redditch i would have no choice but to get on the train and hoped the train gaurd would come down. it was about 1 in 10 times they would come down. and some times there would be no one at the Redditch office to get a ticket from. there is more resons to keep the offices open then to close them.

[@qwertyTRiG]

Here's a challenge: can you buy a Sail&Rail ticket to Belfast, Dublin, or even one to Galway or Derry (i.e., including Irish Rail or NIR travel too) from a machine? Annoyingly, Irish Rail no longer sells these tickets at stations: you need to buy online long enough in advance that they can physically post them out to you. It's absurd.

[@roundhouses]

Only a few days ago we were collecting prepaid tickets at Manchester Piccadilly but the machine couldn't do so and told us to go to the ticket office to collect the tickets. How will that work once the ticket office closes. Yesterday we bought a day return ticket from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh. Had we not gone to the ticket office we would not have realized that off peak tickets cannot be used between 16.30 and 18.30 from these stations even on a bank holiday as it was in Scotland yesterday. We are ticket savvy as we use trains a lot but there are plenty of localized restrictions in places that we don't live that can catch us out let alone the casual traveller.

[@MasterMoyle]

Saw you at Piccadilly that evening as I was on my way back to Southport from Malton after a day out filming Scots Guardsman. Was the chap you also had a brief chat with too while the cameras we're off.

[@Dean256]

What annoys me is people say it’s only 12% who uses the offices. Yes but this percentage of people are more likely to the majority of people who use the railways that are vulnerable and elderly who need additional support. Are we saying these people don’t matter anymore. The same argument applies to the cashless society we are moving towards. Does the people who only deal in cash not matter anymore and they should be in gods waiting room to pass away because they are an inconvenience to cashless and the digital society. It’s discussing THESE PEOPLE DO MATTER!!!!! The fact that Piccadilly is on the list of potential closure is crazy. There will be a lot more fare dogging if the ticket offices go….

[@christopherburns6834]

Notice the machine filmed had an only card notice on it. So you won,t be able to pound notes or coins to buy tickets in the future?

[@rickyzuc]

As a registered optician the first thing I thought of is those who are low or partially sighted. The ticket machines are not at all accessible for them.

[@laurencedavies9003]

Totally agree, 🤞 they listen to the consultation, but it’s unlikely

[@manomaylr]

Please, spare just a few minutes of your time to fill out the consultation. We need everyone we can to oppose this politically and financially driven move that will make the railways less safe, less inclusive, less accessible and more stressful. Everyone, let’s #saveourticketoffices Thank you so much Jen for creating such a detailed video showing the harms of ticket office closures. My local station, though staffed, is due to have its ticket offices closed too.

[@davidbevanwoodwind4075]

Spot on

[@timelordgeek16]

Excellent video Jen It’s the small things people will miss out on and the idiots that listen to the media bile when actually you’ve stated the facts correctly

[@ashlynnerutter9487]

i fully support your video Jen and Stu, its about safety for all and 100% agree with everything youve made in this video, as others have stated.

[@annabelholland]

If only e tickets were never a thing to UK. I always love the traditional National Rail tickets. I don't think Deutsche Bahn (Germany) or every country would ever consider closing ticket offices, let alone providing e tickets. This is why strikes take place not alone because of the pay but because of the current situation as well. UK was the first country to invent railways and it is not the best. Trains do not always arrive or even depart on time (if it arrives before or within 3 mins after the scheduled time)(.

[@stephenreardon2698]

Thank you for sharing this Jen. I had wanted to know how to lodge a formal complaint about this. Just wonder though how people who do not have access to the internet can submit their objections

[@knownothing5518]

What will be necessary in the end is locals volunteering for their stations without approval from railway companies just to help people and then probably get told off for it by those same companies. And "there are so many volunteers, you don't actually need staff to return" will be a thing.

[@holisticanimal]

This is such a letdown for all customers and it creates more unemployment and isolation for people

[@laurelrathbone2596]

Can’t believe it , no assistance getting on or off trains .

[@slorida]

The rovers and rangers pages on the National Rail site doesn't always show a map of valid routes, sometimes it is an alphabetical list of stations only. Even with this however, the TVMs are staying because of people who don't have, or can't use smart phones, but in order to get the right ticket from a TVM you might need.... a smart phone.... In my experience, the majority of people who do not use a ticket office do not understand what they are buying. Northern is planning to reduce from 453 current staff (and 54 vacancies that they haven't advertised in the last three years) to just 235 staff, of which 87 will be part time. Earlestown (Merseyside) is proposed to go from an 18 hour a day seven day a week ticket office, to a member of staff between 1030 and 1230 Mon-Sat. Earlestown is a triangular station with five platforms and two entrances. getting from one side to the other involves a long path and two footbridges. From virtually any point on the station, you cannot see more than two platforms. Ticket offices that Northern are 'keeping open' officially close and re-open as 'Hubs'. There is a technical and legal difference. If they remained open, as stated by Northern, then to close them in future would require the same closure process. If they close and re-open them as a 'Hub' there is no oversight on future changes to opening hours, or indeed future closure.

[@MaxBarnish]

The biggest impacts I can see would be on rovers, rangers, excess fares, PRIV tickets and the like. These are incredibly valuable, yet are not used by the majority. There is a concern for sure about how how ticket machines don't sell all tickets and neither do online sites, yet there is no definitive protection in the increasingly draconian revenue protection regime for buying onboard where the ticket you need isn't available at the machine. I have had some bad ticket office experiences including selling invalid tickets for the route which caused issues and use them seldom but would rather they don't disappear.

[@fernthaisetthawatkul5569]

everyone needs to speak out about this! it will affect disabled people more than abled people, but sadly ableism is largely ignored by society. the railways can be a source of freedom for disabled people who physically can't drive. we desperately need this in the US where the majority of cities just aren't accessible at all, even down to some sidewalks not having accessible curbs for wheelchairs. i would gladly give a fat portion of my monthly paycheck if it meant having railway stations all over the US. and now some people in the UK want to take away one of the features making the system accessible for everyone? that is ridiculous and must be stopped. 👎

[@donmacdon]

If they got rid of the unnecessarily complex ticketing options, why would people need to go to a ticket office? You have identified a problem, but not the root problem. For my last train journey I bought an e-ticket on-line, but then I had to phone customer services to make a mandatory bike reservation. When the train arrived, it did not have any 1st class accommodation (replacement rolling stock for defective rostered train). The on-board staff gave me a note and told me to go to the ticket office for a refund, which I did. "We can't help with e-tickets - you'll have to contact customer services'. I then got the proverbial runaround between National Rail and Scotrail to be finally told that I would have to e-mail customer services. And then by magic (otherwise known as one helpful agent) I did get my refund. Even without the complexity of the various fare options, which might have some commercial justifications, the remainder of the ticketing process is not joined up. Retaining ticket offices does not fix the problem - at best it's a sticking plaster over the cracks. I suspect that the basic problem originates with the political decision to 'privatize' British Rail. That turned out well, as we like to say in the UK (famed for ironic humor).

[@stephenmcculley7]

This consultation is also so disjointed. How can London Euston and Manchester Piccadilly lose their ticket offices but Glossop, St Helens Central and Manchester Victoria keep theirs. No joined up thinking whatsoever.

[@PhysicalMediaLife]

And dont forget the small chains of cafes that arnt costa could shut to i was on a late train and there was no staff and I almost got beaten up by trouble makers on the carriage and all I asked him was please not to block the isle he had his legs across the walk way and he kicked of and started harrising me put it frankly WE NEED RAIL STAFF !

[@maedero05]

Here in holland ticket office are allmost obsolete only international ! Those ticket machines are real awfull. With us we use oistercard lik ov chip and bank cards you don´t need special tickets. What disapeared might be some profit but loading money on a card for here is enough to get around !

[@ianfalconer7435]

Stu may as well be on the payroll

[@railquest]

I think this move angers me more because of how idiotically complex the ticketing system is currently (and that includes ticket machines and apps). The railways IMO should be simple enough to use without the need for ticket offices but that is not the position we're in. Instead, the heavily complicated position with the different franchises and ticket types is simply not good enough

[@daveco4645]

Of course ultimately with no Guard or driverless trains there will be no staff...such shame you need cleaners and maintainers...or do you ....perhaps the maintainers can double as cleaners for a pittance and be grateful 😮

[@openbabel]

Blind people need the assistance under health and safety and only use cash !!!!! Diisabled toilet must be available for te blind severely disabled at ALl times

[@leswall3061]

Why will it effect those that use their phone?

[@JenOnTheMove]

Maybe actually watch the video and you'll find out.

[@leswall3061]

@@JenOnTheMove I made my comments as I was watching the video

[@Rail_Focus]

But it's only 12% of sales, 12% of £9bn is a huge amount of potential lost revenue! It's just a ridiculous proposal 🤬. Great video demonstrating why closing ticket offices is such a stupid idea.

[@fatcontrole1]

That's only based on the people that do use them not buying by other means when they do close

[@hairyairey]

​@@fatcontrole1optimistically you're only retaining half your sales if you do this. Ticketing outside London (which did away with its ticket offices) is complicated. Disability charities have said this is a bad idea.

[@dale1552]

As a conductor, even I get confused the the vast array of tickets especially those exceeding my TOCs courage. The training and knowledge the ticket office staff have is extraordinary, a TVM just won't cut it.

[@paulteelen4285]

In The Netherlands the small and medium sized railway stations lost the ticket offices around 1997. Many bigger stations followed the years after that. And last year again many of the remaining stations with ticket offices lost their office. Remaining only 15 stations with a ticket office in the whole country. Safety is a big issue. Camera’s, entrance gates, security&service teams traveling around; it’s not sufficient. So now they start removing benches, waiting shelters and closing waiting rooms & toilets because there’s too much vandalism. We already are living in your future so fight for it!

[@seprishere]

Worse, because *London Euston* is supposed to lose its ticket office!

[@MrTudwud]

Until the ticket machines are capable of issuing EVERY type of ticket, then no ticket office ANYWHERE should be closed. That situation is NOT the case. T.S.S.A. - wake up and do your job as a Union for once!

[@neilflood6508]

This ticket office closure is a small part of the government's plan to make life as diifcult as possible for the incoming Labour government. Not only will they close the ticket offices, but will sell off or long term lease out the buildings to prevent them from reopening. Thank you for making this excellent video which I have shared on twitter.

[@TB76Returns]

I can't stress how much I am against this too. Thakfully my ticket office has been reprieved for now, but others around me are closing, and as someone who doesn't have a credit card on them, I can only pay by cash. These machines are card only mostly and what if I need to get a single back from a station to my home station? Yes, I can use my phone, as I do for pre planned journeys using the Trainline App, but what if I need a train back urgently? This is absurd, I think the goverment will U turn on it.

[@JenOnTheMove]

I think the important thing there is "reprieved for now". Once the majority have gone, they'll use that to add weight to closing the remaining few. It's a dangerous precedent

[@LouisOnAir]

I heard Gareth Dennis talking about this, and I'm so glad that there are more people bringing attention to this absolute atrocity (that btw violates the equalities act 2010). It's exhausting seeing every remotely nice thing in this country get stripped away by the worst people around.

[@paulusthegrey]

This intention by the train companies does not allow for anyone with *any* form of disability or just someone who is ageing to use rail transport. I would even go so far as to say aspects of this may be contrary to the Equalities Act.

[@tomgirldouble3249]

Excellent point❤

[@paulusthegrey]

I’ve just added to the tweet I sent wondering whether anyone had talked to the HSE about some of the implications. I’ll lay money on the fact that there isn’t a risk assessment to be seen let alone a method statement say how they deal with safety issues.

[@DavidLancstrainspotting]

Totally agree #SAVETICKETOFFICES these are vital public services

[@airfoxtrot2006]

Its scary really, also they can be places of safety for people on a night out, for emergencies and much more.

[@IowaTrainGay]

OMG! THIS IS SO INSANE! CLOSING TICKET OFFICES WAS HIGELY DETREMENTAL IN RURAL AMERICA! I can only imagine how you all will be hit given how much more regular services! This seems like the modern day version of the Beaching Act.

[@NWIndianaElevators]

Whoever came up with the idea of closing the ticket offices on the railways should be fired or resigned… this is the dumbest idea that I’ve seen! 🤬

[@richardpauley8733]

They be one boris. Mates promoted house lords Tory Scum

[@stanley3647]

TORYS goverment. Remember at next elections.

[@MrGreatplum]

If and it’s a big if they were “just” moving people out of the ticket offices onto the platform etc then that’s one thing but that’s clearly not the plan and they would never have anyone at these stations as you say. The stations need staff… It’s also clear that the technology is not working right - as those ticket machines prove. And what about those who need assistance etc? Ridiculous decision!

[@mark2rob]

Thank you for this video. I live in Lancaster ( one of the stations to potentially to close) and the proposed hours staff are available will be cut to less than the ticket office is open at the moment. This is absolutely about cutting staffing levels in the long run. I have raised my objections via my local MP who has a dedicated portal. She (Cat Smith) raised the issue at PM questions today and received a dismissive reply from the deputy PM.

[@stanley3647]

So at next election we must say THANK YOU for Conservatives for this. They ruining this country bit by bit.

[@danielrice9201]

Yes it is crazy to close ticket office the government need to have a major rethink otherwise they could have trouble on their hands

[@RussellDurose]

Not sure the government cares.

[@davidrolph3170]

It’s going to be hell for me, I am a wheelchair user, and I am Autistic and I signed the petition and sent a letter to my mp

[@denisjones7836]

Good information, may I suggest signing the appropriate Government Petition? We need the offices to stay open.

[@RainhamRailEnthusiast]

You covered all the reasons why this is such a stupid idea - lets hope all the petitions and such will have an effect. Great video

[@alanbrown3015]

Not all of the reasons were covered. Just some and all were good reasons. What about removal of choice, long queues at machines meaning missed trains, people travelling without tickets due to inability of option to purchase. It's a false economy because it will lead to an increase in fraudulent travel but not by intent, whilst former ticket office staff will be pushed onto state benefits.

[@GNTel313]

It's total madness... you CANNOT buy the full range of tickets from a TVM. I tried to buy a St Albans plusbus recently I put in my origin as St Albans City & my destination as St Albans Abbey... it couldn't find the ticjet as both the origin and destination were the same !!. Its totally hopeless, not thought out at all and will end up in a total mess, many thanks to the hopeless ideas of the DaFT, treasury & HM Government, !!

[@TimothyEBaldwin]

The national summary does not agree with the local details! Rail Delivery Group: "Ticket office facilities will remain open at the busiest stations and interchanges," Advanti West Coast: "It is proposed that all ticket office windows at stations will close," - that does not include Manchester Piccadilly because it's over the counter, but the detailed list claims Manchester Piccadilly ticket office will close. Rail Delivery Group: "Real life examples: What is being proposed is already in place at many stations and is already benefitting both passengers and staff." The video titled "Newbury and Reading Green Park" clearly shows an open plan ticket office.

[@truebrit3578]

Purely a political decision to pressure the Rail Unions. Looking at this from overseas how many other countries with similar rail networks have made a similar decision? My guess none. I have a rail vacation planned to the Netherlands. The flexibility, the integration, the information available from that system would be a good model for the UK. Perhaps an idea for a video. How rail works in the Netherlands compared with the UK.

[@Thornaby37]

This is a thoroughly disgraceful proposal which will cause a whole multitude of problems for the travelling public As well as potentially being in breach of the equalities act, people who are unfamiliar with the complexities of ticket validity are likely to end up either paying more than they need to, or inadvertently purchasing a ticket that isn't valid for the journey that they wish to make I remember seeing long queues at London Underground stations only months before they all closed, so the effects on the travelling public are already known Normally I would avoid mentioning politics in KZbin comments, but I suspect the real motivation for these ticket office closures is a means for the government to spite RMT members , as well as causing as much damage as they can get away with before the next election

[@thomascook578]

I've had a passenger buy online, spent £50 on 1ad 2ch returns to Mallaig, if they bought at the booking office, he'd have only spent £27 Well said re booking staff, who do those idiots think clean the platforms, especially in winter, help with assists, the train fairy

[@tomgirldouble3249]

Terrible decision, I rely on public transport so much because of poor eyesight & often need help using ticket machines. Where do I complain about this, please?

[@dazzlingdaz187]

..and another thing. Supermarkets have had self service checkouts for what 20 years? But apart from one or two across the whole country, they still give people the choice of self service or staffed tills. If supermarkets still think its necessary to give people a choice, why does the railway think it shouldn't?

[@mudchute4dlr]

I’ve heard an incident at Winbledon Park station for London Underground where a ten year old boy was seperated from his mother and was left on that platform. I would have ignored everything about gEt OfF aT tHe NeXt StAtIoN and gone a stop further to Wimbledon which is more busy and more likely to have staff, or use some type of signal to alert driver (maybe put your hand out at the car marker to alert the driver that something is wrong) but of course the average ten year old boy wouldn’t think of that and he was left at an unstaffed station. Whats worse, northern promised to remove staff, LUL promised to add staff to every station. Poor boy.

[@FurbleFawks]

Has anyone mentioned about season and railcard tickets? It's a nightmare to navigate even with staff if you've never needed one and suddenly have to buy them for the first time? Yeah, I'm glad someone who knows more can explain that to me. Closing most of the major stations is a completely ridiculous thing, even if the tiny local ones go.

[@LKBRICKS1993]

I think it will do great damage to the railways.

[@JenOnTheMove]

It will do major damage, and the next government will be too weak to do anything to reverse it

[@mudchute4dlr]

Ok fine for the Roding Valley’s, but come on, NO TICKET OFFICES IN PICCADILLY? f

[@01cthompson]

I agree with you 100 percent, and I live in another country. In the northeast US you will only find ticket agents in the major hubs like New York and Boston. The vast majority of people will manage without them. But, even as a casual train user I've been asked by people how to use the ticket machines. If you don't read English or know local terminology it could be very difficult to navigate. In an area that attracts foreign tourists that's an issue. Additionally, I can't see my elderly parents using one of those "God damned things".

[@chrisamies2141]

They can't have thought about tourists. Anyone coming from abroad is unlikely to have the app on their phone. Ticket machines at stations are ok but not ideal.

[@dgattenb]

I buy tickets online, only because my local stations do not have ticket offices. I have 5 apps to find the best price. and there is your problem. I know what im doing in IT ... others dont

[@awild10]

I could almost understand if it was a part closure at off peak times but in many ways that's when they're used the most as the commuters either have a season ticket or, like me, know what they're doing and quickly use the machine in a matter of seconds. But it's the leisure traveller that doesn't know what they're doing and wants guidance who this affects and seeing as post Covid it is leisure travel that has seen the most growth surely this is too important a service to lose. Another issue for those of us who do need the train is that this will inevitably lead to more strike action from the RMT and I, for one, will back them when they withdraw their labour!

[@kieranstravels]

This video is incredibly important. I live on what could definitely be described as an already barebones served railway line, Between Warrington Central and Liverpool South Parkway. Of the stations just between that small section, My local of Halewood, as well as Hough Green, Widnes (Which by the way, has already seen drastic cuts to only be open until 2pm on weekdays), Warrington West, and Warrington Central, are all to lose their ticket offices, with no alternative. Halewood is staffed by a small team of 3 local people, who have helped me and the residents of this small town buy train tickets consistently since 2009, and I do mean all three of them. Without them, not only will the station become a dangerous place to be, as there's no one to keep watch, but with our only ticket machine consistency destroyed and vandalised (and none at all on platform 2), I fear that as a traveller who often relies on paper tickets, this could potentially put me off using the station after dark entirely, due to the risks. For the sake of the 3 amazing people who look after our tiny little station with only one train an hour, I pray to god that rather the plan is abandoned, or Merseytravel step in to save ticket offices at city line stations, like they plan to do at Merseyrail stations. Save the ticket offices, for all of us that need them. Please.

[@rosiefay7283]

6:16 You've just shown us another bane of modern life: QR codes. It's all very well for those of you who can use smartphones and read what it says on their minuscule screens, but some of us can't.

[@PeteS_1994]

Watching your video I think that this should be better planned out. Why not modernise ticket offices instead of getting rid of them. It reminds me of modern banks where they have replaced the service counters with machines. It's much messier and customer service has gone downhill. We need to learn to utilise tech rather than using it to replace humans.

[@andrewmelbournetransport]

Me personally I’m from Australia and i also agree its a stupid idea to remove ticket offices in Australia we have the same issues if a station isn’t a big one it either has limited staff hours or none at all and it’s ridiculous i don’t know who is the one that thought closing ticket offices was a good idea but its not ur defeating the purpose of even using a railway if u decide to remove ticket offices should just close the railways in general bc otherwise as other people have said it will become very unsafe and I’m not tryna get myself cancelled by saying this but i think that sucide might go up rapidly which is a very bad thing we don’t want that to happen we all have lives to live without ticket offices its almost impossible to travel around good job to everyone who participated in this video your all speaking the honest truth and i hope the British Railways rethink this decision

[@seanto6363]

I often use a ticket office to work out which train I need, mostly when I have an open return. When I lived with my parents, their local station wasn't stopped at by every train that went through the area as there is also a bypass nearby. So when a dot matrix says something like going to Exter (starting at Bristol), it wouldn't always say if it would be doing a local stopping service or a straight-through, minimal stopping. Staff in a ticket office, however, can say exactly what train is going where and when without the faff of trying to tell a machine where I am going while not wanting a new ticket.

[@johncamp2567]

This seems like something stupid that we would do here in the U.S., where ridership levels pale in comparison to the U.K.; I hope some MPs see this.

[@pontecarlo4354]

After all we live in a country that likes to shoot itself in the foot. Who came up with this decision and why? We are supposed to be encouraging people to use the train.

[@Andrewjg_89]

I use both Greater Anglia and c2c and seeing that ticket offices closing or have reduced hours is a big mistake. Plus with c2c their ticket machines don’t always seem to work and it’s causing such frustration with people who use c2c having to see ticket machines breaking down every time. As I’ve seen pictures of ticket machines failing to work on social media. And for myself have seen these ticket machines failing. But I do think think it’s a bad idea to close ticket kiosks at smaller stations that gets a lot of people. And it’s also made people with disability much harder to travel on.

[@dashcamexplorationuk1692]

What if the ticket machine is out of order, like you said the car is starting to look like a great option, I swear the government doesn't want us to travel an move around

[@darrenbertram7289]

Great video Jen, perfectly highlighting just what's wrong with this situation. I'm tech savvy but to go to a ticket machine and be told there are no tickets?!!! 🤯

[@simonboulton4490]

Jen we have started a potion in Bridlington to stop the closure and a lot of tickets can not be brought from a machines .

[@AutoUnder]

Great video Jen! Leyland station has a major issue with platform alterations where they are only announced and displayed by the station's CIS when the train arrives because of the old 70s signalling system still in place in the Preston area. I am trying to campaign for Network Rail to upgrade the signalling via my #ResignalPreston campaign but our solution in the meantime is for Preston PSB to phone the ticket office in advance of an alteration so they can put out an announcement manually. Despite it not being perfect as the PSB do quite often forget to call, it's definitely better than nothing! Me, Friends of Leyland Station and staff currently working at Leyland are completely against the closure of the ticket office and will fight to keep it open. #SaveTicketOffices

[@JenOnTheMove]

I'm sorry that I couldn't include your point in the video. I already struggled to get this down from over an hours worth of footage to the current length!

[@AutoUnder]

@@JenOnTheMove It's fine don't worry about it, just shows the scale of chaos that this will cause

[@MichaelSebastianTodd]

first of all well done to you & Stuart for making this very important video even tho the majority of tickets i buy are online or on machines but i still need ticket offices to renew my railcard and to buy rover tickets at my local station on the machines you cant buy rover tickets you cant buy tickets from another station & worst of all you cant buy the cheaper off peack ticket till 9am and to add to that the machine wont sell you the railcard discount till the time its valid so basically if your train was at say 10am & the next one isnt for an hour your scewed thats why we need ticket offices to stay open and most of the people i work with only get the train when they are going for a day out in the Capital and they use a ticket office as someone in a ticket office will tell you the resctrictions in London like you cant get a fast train out of London between 4pm & 7pm i do t think a machine will tell you that anyway brilliant video

[@APAG]

100 percent! This is all tory rubbish, lets vote em out!!!

[@michaelbattman2971]

Well done Jen; keep banging the drum on this.

[@JenOnTheMove]

You know me! I get shouty when I need to!

[@frankb7271]

Ticket machines can not offer the correct ticket for certain journeys. One can not talk to a ticket machine. Ticket office's can give the right ticket for one's journey.

[@PamelaBane]

Jen this the most important video you have made. Ticket offices at major stations must be kept opened and staffed at off peak hours too. Keep up the good work.

[@SamsVlogstrainsmore]

Fully Agree Jen 100%!

[@andrewgladstone-heighton1532]

good on you for making this Jen. we all need to raise hell about this.

[@ReubenAshwell]

You and stu both said it well about the ticket offfices, there are plenty of people who still need them, rangers and rovers are only sold there and if theres a ticket office open, then theres almost certainly a member of staff guarenteed if theres someone in danger in the station. Also theyve been able to sort out tickets i purchaed for the wrong date from the ticket machines at Leicester. We should #SAVETICKETOFFICES.

[@MrCobo04]

I gave a yearly season card. If i were to travel outside its boundary. Only way to get a ticket is at a ticket office none of the ticket machines can cope.

[@therealmasonicbwe]

#SaveTicketOffices PLEASE! Jen makes very amazing points on why they shouldn't close. Even in rushes to get a train you have to wait so long for them machines to load and load and load and load and load and load and load and load and load and load and load and load until it's unavailable and you miss your train. So many jobs will become lost for all these people who work as a ticket officer and they're left with no luck and no job.

[@zawtowers]

Completely spot on Jen, massive thanks to you and Stu for raising this and showing the other knock on consequences people don't realise what will happen if we close our ticket offices. I'm massively concerned there's been no proper Equality Act impact assessments for disabled passengers, and indeed safety is pararmount - for those staffed stations, you know where to go. What happens if roaming around is a thing and you're not there in those golden 2 hours? Northern, incidentally, because they're DfT Operator of Last Resort, seem to have gone for jugular and it works out a 60% plus reduction in staffing levels across the network. You don't need me to tell you how unsafe that would make some people feel.

[@ianr]

Well done Jen & Stu! I totally agree with your comments. 👏 🙂 I'm a little confused....who actually runs the ticket offices at Man Picc? Is it Network Rail or the TOC's?

[@sarahwiththetrains]

Brilliant video! Perfectly summing up why we need to keep our ticket offices!

[@JDBarnsley]

I buy my tickets on Trainline, but like you say, it affects everyone in many different ways. My grandparents would be lost without ticket offices and on the off chance I need some info, the help won't be there

[@JDBarnsley]

Also... come to Sheffield and explore our trams!

[@brianmorrison9168]

A very well presented video Jen, fully backed up with facts and proof. Although I had already purchased my ticket, I was speaking to a chap from Alnmouth ticket office a couple of days ago. the station is quite small, but is on nthe ECML. He was very helpful and the small waiting room, where the office was, had infrmation on local attractions etc. While I was talking, another passenger asked him for the key to the toilet. I had honestly not thought about the extra consequences, but thinking about it now, you are 100% correct. That chap seemed to be the type of person, who genuinely considered the station as 'theirs' and would probably do anything to keep it running wll, kept clean and safe.

[@lapiswake6583]

Gonna be interesting to see a drop in revenue if ticket offices do close as planned. Because if you can't buy a ticket on the station (if the machines aren't working like those in the video, or other reasons), and you still have to travel by train, you're just gonna hop on without a ticket. It's a ridiculous move, and reduces the accessibility of the railways at a point where we really need to increase it.

[@LisaSargent03]

Diabolical liberty!! Stanford-le-Hope doesn't even have a ticket office and hasn't had one for three years.

[@LucyMichela]

On the app front - sometimes the machines at my local station wont work for the card recognition, and guess who helps. THE TICKET OFFICE