Train operators are proposing to change the staffing times of 974 ticket offices at railway stations across England. This includes the constituency stations of Dorchester, Weymouth, Sherborne; and the nearby stations of Yeovil Junction and Yeovil Pen Mill.
Since 1995, the national share of train tickets bought from station offices has declined from 85% in 1995, to 12% in 2023. While I recognise the intentions of the station operators, we must not forget that there still remains 12% of all passengers who use these services.
The likelihood is that, of those passengers who still use ticket offices, many will be elderly, living in rural areas, and/or without access to, or knowledge of, digital retail. I am concerned about this, especially considering that in West Dorset, 30% of constituents are aged 65 or over
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