‘Accessibility riders’ and supporters join the railworkers’ picket line at Hastings station, 29 July 2023. Photo: XRHSL

Disabled and elderly passengers stage ‘ride-in’ against ticket office closures

Public protest has forced the rail companies to extend the deadline for ‘consultation’ on the mass closure England’s ticket offices to 1 September. Meanwhile, local protests against the closures continue. Gabriel Carlyle reports.

Six local residents with accessibility needs staged a protest on Saturday (29 July), against the plans to close England’s railway ticket offices, by simultaneously boarding strike-breaking trains travelling between Hastings to Bexhill.

An ‘accessibility rider’ boards the train at St Leonards Warrior Square, 29 July 2023. Photo: XRHSL

The ‘ride-in’ – which delayed one train by eight minutes and the second by twelve – aimed to highlight the difficulties faced by elderly and disabled passengers in accessing the train service when there is little or no staff support.

The closure plans, which transport secretary Mark Harper is understood to have ‘pushed rail firms into moving ahead’ with, is expected to lead to the closure of almost 1,000 English ticket offices within the next three years, with the loss of over 2,000 railway station staff.

According to its own website, Southeastern (who run the Hastings and St Leonards offices) are proposing ‘for all ticket offices to eventually close’ subject to a public consultation, and for all closures to ‘take place over the next two years’.

The railworkers union, the RMT, says the closure plans will significantly worsen passenger service, accessibility, safety and security, and are encouraging members of the public to respond to the current round of ‘consultation’, which has now been extended – because of public protest – until 1 September.

Local members of climate group rebellion Extinction Rebellion were among those taking part in – and supporting – this morning’s action.

An ‘accessibility rider’ exits the train at Bexhill, 29 July 2023. Photo: XRHSL

‘Accessibility rider’ and Hastings resident David, who uses a mobility scooter, said: ‘I’ve got to make it clear that without guards on the trains, without staff on the platforms, I am completely stranded. I would be unable to travel anywhere.’

Felix Lozano of Extinction Rebellion Hastings & St Leonards added: ‘Passengers were overwhelmingly supportive of Saturday’s action and took postcards for the consultation. And striking workers at Hastings also welcomed the action in solidarity with their campaign for a fully funded and well staffed public rail service. We urge members of the public – including anyone who wants to see a public transport system fit for addressing the climate crisis – to respond to the consultation online at https://tinyurl.com/save-our-ticket-offices before 1 September.’

One train was delayed by 12 minutes. Photo: XRHSL

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