Disability rights campaigners have criticised plans by the Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan to close the majority of rail ticket offices. At the recent Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, Ms Trevelyan said that she will ask the rail industry to launch UK-wide consultations into ticket office provision.

However, the plans have led to a key member of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) to resign in protest. The Disability New Service (DNS) reports that Matthew Smith has called the government’s transport policies ‘discriminatory.’ It is feared that the proposals could see up to four-fifths of ticket offices closing.

There has already been a steep rise in unstaffed stations and driver-only trains over the past few years, particularly in the South-East of England. This effectively makes the train service inaccessible to the majority of wheelchair users, who require assistance with ramps to board and disembark from trains, and to use platform lifts. 

A section of the Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) was described in a report by the DPTAC as having staffing levels which were “completely inadequate to deliver an accessible railway”. The ticket office staff are often the only members of staff on hand at some stations, and their loss may leave rail operators in breach of the Equality Act. 

A DfT spokesperson said: “We would like to thank Matthew Smith for his five years of service as a member of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee.”

They added: “We’re committed to transforming accessibility across the UK rail network, and have dedicated £383 million for such improvements at rail stations which will deliver more than 100 accessible step free routes and smaller scale access enhancements at 124 stations.”

However, the DNS reports that disabled people’s safety is being compromised, as they often rely on trained staff members to help them with route planning, navigating the rail station, using wheelchair ramps, and accessing lifts and toilets. 

It is feared that the quality of life for wheelchair users will be reduced if the planned cuts to station staff go ahead. Many disabled people rely on public transport to access healthcare services, shop, and socialise. Without the required support in place, the effect will be greater isolation and poorer health outcomes. 

A spokesperson for the Equality and Human Rights Committee (EHRC) said in response to Mr Smith’s resignation: “We are aware of the concerns Mr Smith raises in his resignation letter to the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, and we are carefully considering the most appropriate regulatory response.”

They added: “The EHRC is committed to upholding disabled people’s right to equal travel. We know that many disabled or older passengers rely on station staff and ticket offices to access rail services. Under the Equality Act, all service providers must make reasonable adjustments to ensure disabled people are not unfairly disadvantaged”.

The rail worker’s union, RMT, is campaigning against the closures, according to The Independent, describing the proposals as unacceptable.

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