{"id":7716,"date":"2023-08-18T10:33:50","date_gmt":"2023-08-18T09:33:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/therailwaydog.co.uk\/?p=7716"},"modified":"2023-08-18T10:33:50","modified_gmt":"2023-08-18T09:33:50","slug":"winfrith-cats-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/therailwaydog.co.uk\/?p=7716","title":{"rendered":"Winfrith Cats… again"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A freshly groomed Yoshi checks in at Christchurch railway station ticket office – 10\/08\/2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Augus<\/strong>t 9th 2023 to August 15th 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yoshi is supporting the campaign to keep railway ticket offices open following the train companies proposals to begin closing 974 booking halls across England. The passenger watchdogs Transport Focus and London Travelwatch are overseeing a public consultation which closes on 1st September 2023. Have your say by completing the online form at: https:\/\/www.transportfocus.org.uk\/ticket-office-consultation\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You could also write to your MP. I did. I’ll let you know if I get a response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The plan represents the complete depersonalisation of the ticket retail process and another piece in the jigsaw to deter people from using the railways along with, but not limited to, scrapping Wi-Fi on trains and impossible to understand ticket machines.\u00a0I also miss onboard buffets and \/ or tea trolleys on South Western Railway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are told that 10% of travellers buy their tickets at a booking office, compared with 80% in the 1990’s when, as I’m sure you will recall, there was no other way in doing so (with the exception of season ticket purchases, granted).\u00a0 13% of revenue still comes via ticket offices which shows, on average, high-value transactions which may well be too complex for a ticket machine to deal with.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hamworthy ticket office current and proposed opening hours<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Take Hamworthy as an example which has been designated as Category 3 by South Western Railway with the proposed new staffing hours showing the station unstaffed on a Monday, which just seems a deliberate ploy to discourage users. When I commuted daily by rail I always purchased my weekly season ticket on a Monday. On visits to the ticket machine at Hamworthy over the last six months has found it not working or the touch screen smashed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Yoshi at Hamworthy ticket office – 11\/08\/2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I also believe the proposals to close ticket offices will have a severe detrimental effect on the disabled and elderly. Staffed ticket offices effect everything from the ability to buy tickets, receive assistance, access site facilities, navigate the station, plan routes, and feeling confident in making journeys. They are one of the most vital accessibility features of railway stations and their closure would only serve to isolate people further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The closures would also have negative implications more broadly speaking. Ticket office staff provide assistance not only to disabled and elderly people, but to tourists, passengers with luggage, the unbanked, parents with buggies, and everyone who needs advice or assistance. By potentially stopping so many people from travelling by rail, the closures will also negatively impact spending in local economies, slow economic growth, and prevent people from getting to work.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although these reforms are being flown under the banner of ‘modernisation’, they are anything but. A modern railway is one that works for everybody \u2013 one that is accessible, safe, and easy to navigate. To remove ticket offices would therefore be an actively regressive step, making vital infrastructure unusable for millions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A visit of the Network Rail New Measurement Train to Weymouth which arrived via Yeovil and Dorchester West took place on Wednesday 9th August. This time the train was sandwiched between a pair of Colas Class 43 High Speed Train power cars No.’s 43251 and 43272 running as 1Z22 0757 Derby RTC (Network Rail) to Bristol Kingland Road. Yoshi had an appointment with the groomer in Broadstone at the same time, so I was unable to see this test train, but happily we can share the following video and photographs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Colas Class 43 HST Power Car No. 43272 at Weymouth (@da_bukley967) – 09\/08\/2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Looking in need of some TLC, Colas Class 43 HST Power Car No. 43251 at Weymouth (@da_bukley967) – 09\/08\/2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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