The Tories have been told to come clean over their plan to shut almost every railway ticket office across England.
Ministers have insisted the changes are being made to free up station staff so they can help passengers on platforms. But the Mirror can reveal that the plans are being pushed through in a bid to dramatically cut costs.
Railway industry sources last night admitted firms had drawn up the proposals after being instructed by the Government to find ways to save money. One whistleblower said: “This isn’t being done to help passengers, it’s about cutting costs.”
Train firms want to shut ticket offices at 974 stations across England. The Government has repeatedly brushed off warnings about the impact of the changes.
When questioned about potential job losses in the Commons last month, Rail Minister Huw Merriman said: “The aim is to redeploy staff away from the ticket office, where not so many people are seen, to the front of the station where all passengers can access them. That will particularly benefit those who have accessibility and disability challenges.”
Paralympics legend Tanni Grey-Thompson, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and the RMT’s Mick Lynch are taking part in a special Mirror event to fight railway ticket office closures.
The Save Our Ticket Offices online rally will be streamed live on the Mirror website via this link and our YouTube channel at 5pm this Thursday. Other guests include...
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