Matt Vickers has spoken out against the proposed train ticket office closure at Thornaby Station.
On Wednesday 13 September Matt joined a Westminster Hall debate on proposed ticket office closures in stations across England, led by Chris Loder MP.
Thornaby is just one of the stations across the country being threatened by ticket office closure.
Matt highlighted that operator Northern’s decision is being justified by low in-person ticket sales. However Northern’s suggestion that only 12% of ticket sales are made through the ticket office is not correct for Thornaby station, where it is understood 25% of ticket purchases are made face to face.
With one quarter of all ticket sales being made through the ticket offices the loss of an in-person office could contribute to far fewer journeys being made by train, and leaving vulnerable communities completely isolated.
Many elderly or disabled residents rely on staffed ticket offices for their accessibility and ease. Some are uncomfortable using online methods or prefer cash.
Chris Loder MP, leading the debate, also agreed that Thornaby’s ticket office closure would disproportionately affect vulnerable commuters.
After speaking in the chamber, Matt Vickers MP said: “I have heard from many vulnerable residents who fear that losing the ticket office a Thornaby station could leave them stranded.
“A quarter of all travelling through this station could face unnecessary anxiety to visit friends, family, healthcare, employment, or shops.
“It would be a huge loss to Thornaby to see it’s ticket office, and the hardworking staff who operate it gone.”
Matt’s question follows his active online campaigning to save Thornaby station by encouraging local residents to complete the online consultation, which has now closed, and writing to the directors of Northern and TransPennine Express.
