We are pleased that the Department for Transport has accepted the need for us to review our ticket office opening hours. Our research on sales at our stations shows that our passengers are changing the way that they buy tickets.
With a variety of purchase options now available, less than half of all tickets are now bought across the counter. At many stations there are periods of the day when few or even no tickets are bought from our ticket offices.
The changes are being introduced on a 'station by station' basis at 86 stations. They will vary from none, minor changes of 15-30 minutes to a couple of hours, to (in four cases) closure of the following ticket offices;
- Cheddington
- Lye
- Witton
- Wythall
The following station ticket offices earmarked for closure will remain open with reduced hours;
- Adderley Park
- Bescot Stadium
- Duddeston
- Jewellery Quarter
- Small Heath
Alongside the changes, we are making a significant new investment in station facilities to ensure that our levels of customer service are maintained.
- An extra 29 ticket vending machines at stations which do not currently have them allowing passengers to buy tickets around the clock;
- Additional shelters on platforms and better signage;
- More boarding ramps for wheelchair users and station lifts to be kept in operation at all times;
- Passengers who require assistance to make their journey will be able to book this via a new industry website launched by ATOC last month.
Richard Brooks, Commercial Director at London Midland, said: “The reductions in opening hours will be concentrated at the beginning and the end of the day or on Sundays, so most passengers will see no change at all. We believe that the changes strike the right balance; supporting our aim to control railway costs and continuing to meet the needs of our passengers in this challenging economic climate.”
- For more information on the changes to the ticket office opening hours click here
- For a list of stations affected click here
