Closures would give green light to anti-social behaviour
All four rail unions have written to Scottish council leaders warning that plans by train operator Abellio ScotRail to close or reduce the opening hours of 123 ticket offices will let anti-social behaviour thrive and leave vulnerable people at risk.
In a joint letter, ASLEF, RMT, TSSA and Unite state that: “Station staff don’t just sell tickets. They provide vital customer service and information to disabled and elderly passengers. They help with passenger assist and access to station facilities like lifts, toilets. Cutting ticket office hours will make the railway less accessible to vulnerable passengers.
“Station staff also provide a visible presence within each station discouraging anti-social behaviour on our railway network and create a sense of security for passengers which encourages increased rail usage.
“We’re urging councillors to campaign against the cuts to booking office hours in their areas.”