East Suffolk Council
Concerns over proposed ticket office closure
The Leader of East Suffolk Council has expressed her concerns about proposals to close the ticket office at Lowestoft Station.
Rail operator Greater Anglia is proposing the closure of 47 of its 54 ticket offices, including the office at Lowestoft. The proposed closure would require customers to buy tickets from the ticket machine, online or from the conductor onboard the train. Greater Anglia staff would be available at the station between 6.30am and 1.30pm (Monday to Saturday).
Cllr Caroline Topping, Leader of East Suffolk Council has expressed concerns about the possible closure, with concerns also raised by other councillors.
Cllr Topping said: “The proposed closure of the ticket office at Lowestoft is extremely worrying. We want to encourage even more people to use trains and buses, rather than relying on cars and having a staffed ticket office is hugely important. Ticket office staff provide essential support for those with disabilities and additional needs, as well as providing face-to-face engagement with customers, helping with queries and fares.
“We have numerous regeneration projects underway in Lowestoft, and more in the pipeline. These major projects aim to attract further investment, developing the town into a popular destination to visit and to live. Having an efficient, welcoming, and high-quality railway station plays an important role in drawing people to the town.
“I personally use the train almost every day and meet many people coming to the area on holiday and using the rail network. We want to make rail travel an easy, attractive and accessible experience and this starts with retaining the ticket office and the invaluable human contact this provides. We will be informing Greater Anglia of our objections and I would encourage residents to also give their feedback.”
Cllr Peter Byatt, Leader of the East Suffolk Labour Group said: “We are wholly opposed to the closure of Railway Ticket Offices, as they offer a vital service to travellers. They provide a safe, central place for advice and assistance, particularly as not everyone is able to use ticket vending machines or online ticketing sites. Indeed, we are very concerned that the closure of Ticket Offices will disproportionately affect disabled and older residents, as well as those with poor literacy and IT skills, or on lower incomes.
“Ticket machines do not provide the many services offered by ticket office staff such as season ticket changes, Ranger and Rover tickets, providing refunds, Group Save, advance fares etc. Furthermore, these machines do not automatically offer passengers the cheapest ticket or explain any restrictions, nor do they take cash.”
Greater Anglia is currently holding a public consultation into the proposed closures and East Suffolk residents are encouraged to give their views by 26 July.