Lanarkshire MSP, Graham Simpson, used a debate on the future of ScotRail to call on Transport Minister, Jenny Gilruth MSP, to reconsider cutting the opening hours of various rail ticket offices across the region.
Mr Simpson’s call follows the release of ScotRail’s Ticket Office consultation and the results of their Fit for the Future consultation – which suggests 250 trains will be cut from the pre-pandemic timetable.
Across the region a number of large towns will see their station’s ticket office opening hours reduced. East Kilbride’s will be cut by 3 to 5 hours Monday to Friday. Airdrie’s ticket office will drop by 5 hours Monday to Saturday and by 7 hours on Sunday. Cumbernauld’s will only be open for 90 minutes a day Monday to Thursday and closed completely on Fridays.
He and other members from across the chamber argued that the need for a personal service has not changed. Staff who work in booking offices do more than sell tickets. They provide advice, assist disabled passengers and complete general maintenance such as gritting the platform or cleaning the facilities.
With Covid restrictions easing and demand on our trains slowly increasing, Mr Simpson has demanded the SNP and ScotRail rethink these changes at Lanarkshire stations.
Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland said: “Abellio have been doing the SNP's dirty work for them ahead of nationalisation on April 1 but the Scottish Government can't escape responsibility for these cuts.
“They are not acceptable. We are seeing higher fares, we have fewer trains running and now they want to axe ticket offices.
“If this is a taste of things to come then we are in for a grim time. The SNP have yet to set out any vision for the railways other than cuts and higher fares.
“That is no way to encourage people out of their cars - which they say they want to do - and onto public transport”.
