Union warns of imminent ticket office cull

The RMT transport union has warned that a plan to shut almost all the UK’s railway station ticket offices could begin next week.

Defending the staffing of stations has been part of the union’s continuing industrial action, which will see further strike days in July.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch stated: “There are rumours circulating online that the Department for Transport plans to announce mass ticket office closures next week.

“The train operating companies and the government must understand that we will vigorously oppose any moves to close ticket offices.

“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.”

The TSSA rail union called on the public to “vigorously oppose” any closures.