**Cambuslang Grandmother Advocates Against Reduction in Rail Ticket Office Hours**
A Cambuslang resident is rallying support to oppose ScotRail’s plans to decrease the operating hours of 54 ticket offices in Scotland, including one in Main Street. Margaret Cochrane, a grandmother, is supporting an online petition initiated by the TSSA Scotland trade union. The petition urges the Scottish Government to intervene and prevent what they deem as “dangerous reductions” in ticket office hours, a move that could compromise passenger safety, especially for women and vulnerable individuals.
While Margaret herself is an occasional rail user, she stresses the importance of having staff available at ticket offices to provide guidance on fares and ensure passenger safety. She highlights the significant role ticket office staff play in assisting passengers, especially students like her granddaughters who frequently commute using the rail service. Margaret expresses concerns over the trend of staff cuts across various sectors, which she believes prioritises profit over customer service.
Aside from Cambuslang, other stations such as Blantyre, Rutherglen, Croftfoot, and Burnside are also set to be impacted by the proposed changes. TSSA Scotland’s petition calls for ScotRail to maintain current staffing levels and operational hours to uphold passenger safety and accessibility. Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, is being urged to intervene to safeguard the interests of rail users.
MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy echoes constituents’ worries about reduced ticket office hours potentially hindering accessibility for disabled passengers. The proposal to reassign ticket office staff to mobile “mobility teams” raises concerns about adequate support at stations. The TSSA union emphasises the vital role of ticket office staff in ensuring a welcoming and safe environment for all passengers and urges against any compromises in service quality.
In response, ScotRail’s Customer Operations Director, Phil Campbell, asserts that the proposed changes aim to align services with modern customer preferences while enhancing safety and support measures. The revisions stem from input gathered from a wide consultation conducted by the independent passenger watchdog, Transport Focus.
The debate over reducing ticket office hours not only sheds light on the evolving landscape of public transport services but also underscores the importance of balancing efficiency with customer needs and safety concerns. As the railway sector continues to modernize, maintaining a customer-centric approach remains crucial to ensuring a seamless and secure travel experience for all passengers.
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