James Wild MP urges local people to respond to the consultation by 1 September on plans to close the ticket office at Lynn train station.
Great Northern Rail have proposed closing King’s Lynn ticket office and moving staff onto the station concourse instead. Other train operators are proposing similar changes which they say would mean staff being more visible and accessible to offer help, information, and advice.
Details of the plans are available here https://www.greatnorthernrail.com/publicconsultation - they would mean ticketing assistance was available later in the evenings than the ticket office is currently open:
Currently, on weekdays the office is open between 5:30-20:00, Saturday 05:30-19:30 and Sunday 07:50-17:00 Under the proposals, ticketing assistance hours on weekdays and Saturdays would be 05:45-22:00 and on Sunday 09:45-17:20.
For many people buying a ticket online or at a machine offers convenience but I’ve raised strong concerns with GTR about the impact the plans could have on elderly and disabled passengers in particular who prefer to use the ticket office.
In addition James has raised concerns that not all ticket types can be bought from machines or online. As part of the proposals GTR told James they are recommending Kings Lynn is one of the stations that has additional ticketing facilities so passengers can buy any tickets that cannot currently be purchased online or from a machine.
Data GTR provided in response to James’ questions shows the ticket office accounted for 37.4% of recorded sales from the station (most could be purchased or collected from a machine) in Jan-March last year – compared to 17 per cent bought at the ticket machines, and 43 per cent bought online. This compares to a national average figure of 12 percent bought at ticket offices. James has asked GTR what work they’ve done to understand reasons and customer preferences before proposing these changes. Customers are showing their preference for a ticket office.
Constituents have contacted James to make clear their opposition to closing the office. James’ view is that GTR should listen to passengers and not proceed with plans they oppose.
Train operators have said no final decisions have been made so HAVE YOUR SAY by the 1 September by contacting Transport Focus - [email protected] - or by post:
Freepost: RTEH-XAGE-BYKZ
Transport Focus
PO Box 5594
Southend-on-Sea
SS1 9PZ
