Passengers face delays if ticket offices close, MPs warn

12:14pm Tuesday 15th July 2008

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Cuts to opening hours at nine train station ticket offices will spell longer waiting times and queues for passengers, it has been warned.

Both borough MPs have slammed plans by South West Trains (SWT) to close ticket offices at Barnes, Hampton, Hampton Wick and Strawberry Hill on Sundays.

"Lines are already long at peak times at many train stations across the constituency, so to reduce ticket office opening times and staffing is madness.”

Richmond Park MP Susan Kramer

The rail operator also indicated in the proposals published yesterday that it intends to reduce opening hours at some of these stations the rest of the week, and at Fulwell, Hampton Court, Mortlake, St Margarets and Whitton.

Richmond Park MP Susan Kramer said: "Lines are already long at peak times at many train stations across the constituency, so to reduce ticket office opening times and staffing is madness."

SWT, which started a consultation with unions and passenger groups into the changes at 114 of its stations last month, argues that with more tickets sold via vending machines and the internet, there is less need for frontline staff.

Twickenham MP Vincent Cable said: "I have already had an exchange of correspondence with Stewart Palmer, the managing director of SWT. If he thinks that automated vending is working well he should spend more time at our stations when there are often long queues and broken machines."

He continued: "SWT are also being short sighted to ignore the tangible benefits of properly manned stations, including reduction in vandalism and graffiti and reassurance for passengers travelling alone especially when stations are dark in winter."

People have until August 5 to submit their comments on the proposed changes to either independent rail consumer watchdog PassengerFocus or London TravelWatch - the watchdog representing the interests of transport users.

They should write to PassengerFocus at 6 Middle Street, London, EC1 7JA or London TravelWatch at Whittles House, 14 Pentonville Road, London, N1 9HP with their views.

Station	Mon-Fri open	Mon-Fri close	Sat open	Sat close	Sun open	Sun close
Barnes	6.45am	6.45pm	8am	2.30pm	closed	closed
Fulwell	6.30am	10am	closed	closed	closed	closed
Hampton	6.30am	12.30pm	9am	1.30pm	closed	closed
Hampton Court	6.30am	6.30pm	8am	6pm	closed	closed
Hampton Wick	6.20am	12.35pm	8am	12.30pm	closed	closed
Mortlake	6.25am	7.50pm	8.30am	7pm	9.30am	4pm
St Margarets	6.20am	7pm	9am	2pm	9.30am	1pm
Stawberry Hill	6.25am	1.15pm	8.30am	2.45pm	closed	closed
Whitton	6am	7.45pm	6.40am	7pm	9am	4pm

• What do you think of the proposals? Post your comments below.