This Tory Government is again taking action to worsen the lives of ordinary working people already facing a cost-of-living crisis, by denying them widespread and easy access to the purchase of rail products and best value fares through the proposed closure of ticket offices.

 

These proposals also place many working people at risk of redundancy and there are no safeguards in place for future job security on our rail networks.

 

The announcement to carry out a public consultation within such a short time frame was farcical and clearly demonstrates how little interest this government has in the opinions of the majority of people in this country.

 

This Council is aware that:-

 

There are a range of products and services available at the ticket office, which may not be available from Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs). This includes refunds, season ticket changes, ranger and rover tickets, bus connections, park and ride, group save, disabled persons discount, season tickets over one month in length, advance fares, rail card purchases, off-peak tickets before 9.30am, changes to ticket classes, seat reservations, cycle reservations, photocards for season tickets, scholar tickets, sleeper bookings and car parking.

 

Using TVMs is a one-sided process, there is no interaction between customer and retailer like there is in the ticket office. In contrast, ticket office staff can ask customers questions about their journey and requirements to ensure they get the right ticket for their journey and can offer a range of routes and classes.

 

Many TVMs do not take cash, or permit a part cash, part card payment. Given that people on lower incomes and older and disabled people are more likely to use cash, these groups stand to be disproportionately affected by ticket office closures and may find it difficult to travel as a result.

 

Unlike ticket office staff, TVMs do not automatically offer passengers the cheapest ticket for their journey, or clearly explain restrictions on certain fares, such as operator-specific tickets.

 

Ticket Office staff also are best placed to sign post and safeguard facilities and other support for passengers with disabilities/accessibility or other equalities related needs.

 

Ticket office closures would cause a significant worsening of the facilities and support offered to disabled, Deaf and older people. Already, disabled people face numerous barriers in accessing the rail network and are three times less likely to travel by rail than non-disabled people. Twenty-two percent of the population had a disability in 2020/2 and since 2002/3 the number of people reporting a disability has increased by 3.8million (+35%).

 

This Council notes: -

 

That there has been overwhelming opposition to ticket office closures from disabled people’s organisations, including Disability Rights UK, National Federation of the Blind UK, Transport for All, RNIB, RNID, Guide Dogs, Scope, Thomas Pocklington Trust, Winvisible, Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People and the MS Society.

 

That disabled people are much less likely than non-disabled people to have access to the internet, and therefore online ticketing is not accessible for many.

 

That there is substantial demand for the ticket office. While the Government says that ‘only’ 12% of tickets are sold at ticket offices, in 2022/23, there were 1.5 billion passenger journeys, which equates to around 180 million journeys being facilitated by ticket offices.

 

The presence of staff is vital for ensuring the railway is accessible to all.

 

Staffed ticket offices have an important role in supporting passenger safety and security. Ticket offices provide a place of safety for both staff and passengers.

 

Ticket office staff are trained and experienced in dealing with difficult incidents and the presence of staff deters abusive and anti-social behaviour.

 

Ticket office staff provide support and assistance to passengers during times of disruption or in response to emergencies and their role often includes carrying out safety and security checks at the station throughout the day.

 

We further note that:

 

Passenger watchdogs give us a consistent theme emerging from research, which is that passengers like and value the presence of staff. Having staffed ticket offices supports passenger perceptions and feelings around safety, and closing ticket offices could lead to passengers no longer feeling safe when travelling.

 

At the House of Commons debate on 6 July, 2023. Our MP, Afzal Khan for Manchester, Gorton gave this plea for our residents.

 

"The announced closure of 45 railway ticket offices across Greater Manchester, including at Levenshulme and Gorton stations, will be to the detriment of my constituents who depend on them. Just when we should be encouraging travel by rail to reduce our carbon footprint, this measure will push people away from our great British railways. We should be trying to make train travel easier, cheaper and more accessible, so why are the Government acting against the interests of the public?"

 

As a Council who declared a climate emergency in 2019 and with a commitment to being Zero Carbon by 2038, this Council expresses gratitude to our local MP for standing up for local people in Parliament and for the climate.

 

Therefore this Council commits to:-

 

(1)       Sending a message of solidarity to the RMT, TSSA, and all unions and other organisations who are coordinating action to oppose these measures.

 

(2)       Thanking all Manchester Councillors who took action coordinated by the unions and other organisations.

 

(3)       Using all resources at our disposal to raise awareness amongst our residents about how they can continue take action against these measures, including:

 

(4)       Sending clear messages about the impact of these measures on our city and residents through direct mail, press statements and billboards

 

(5)       Signposting people to any further online consultations at Libraries and other council owned facilities.

 

(6)       Working in partnership with all our Manchester MPs and across Greater Manchester, with the GMCA and our GM Mayor, Andy Burnham to oppose these measures.

 

Proposed by Councillor Bayunu, seconded by Councillor Nunney and supported by Councillors Good, Johnson, Leech and Wiest.

Councillor Bayunu submitted the following motion, which was seconded by Councillor Nunney: -

 

·       This Tory Government is again taking action to worsen the lives of ordinary working people already facing a cost-of-living crisis, by denying them widespread and easy access to the purchase of rail products and best value fares through the proposed closure of ticket offices.

 

These proposals also place many working people at risk of redundancy and there are no safeguards in place for future job security on our rail networks.

 

The announcement to carry out a public consultation within such a short time frame was farcical and clearly demonstrates how little interest this government has in the opinions of the majority of people in this country.

 

This Council is aware that:-

 

There are a range of products and services available at the ticket office, which may not be available from Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs). This includes refunds, season ticket changes, ranger and rover tickets, bus connections, park and ride, group save, disabled persons discount, season tickets over one month in length, advance fares, rail card purchases, off-peak tickets before 9.30am, changes to ticket classes, seat reservations, cycle reservations, photocards for season tickets, scholar tickets, sleeper bookings and car parking.

 

Using TVMs is a one-sided process, there is no interaction between customer and retailer like there is in the ticket office. In contrast, ticket office staff can ask customers questions about their journey and requirements to ensure they get the right ticket for their journey and can offer a range of routes and classes.

 

Many TVMs do not take cash, or permit a part cash, part card payment. Given that people on lower incomes and older and disabled people are more likely to use cash, these groups stand to be disproportionately affected by ticket office closures and may find it difficult to travel as a result.

 

Unlike ticket office staff, TVMs do not automatically offer passengers the cheapest ticket for their journey, or clearly explain restrictions on certain fares, such as operator-specific tickets.

 

Ticket Office staff also are best placed to sign post and safeguard facilities and other support for passengers with disabilities/accessibility or other equalities related needs.

 

Ticket office closures would cause a significant worsening of the facilities and support offered to disabled, deaf and older people. Already, disabled people face numerous barriers in accessing the rail network and are three times less likely to travel by rail than non-disabled people. Twenty-two percent of the population had a disability in 2020/2 and since 2002/3 the number of people reporting a disability has increased by 3.8million (+35%).

 

This Council notes: -

 

That there has been overwhelming opposition to ticket office closures from disabled people’s organisations, including Disability Rights UK, National Federation of the Blind UK, Transport for All, RNIB, RNID, Guide Dogs, Scope, Thomas Pocklington Trust, Winvisible, Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People and the MS Society.

 

That disabled people are much less likely than non-disabled people to have access to the internet, and therefore online ticketing is not accessible for many.

 

That there is substantial demand for the ticket office. While the Government says that ‘only’ 12% of tickets are sold at ticket offices, in 2022/23, there were 1.5 billion passenger journeys, which equates to around 180 million journeys being facilitated by ticket offices.

 

The presence of staff is vital for ensuring the railway is accessible to all.

 

Staffed ticket offices have an important role in supporting passenger safety and security. Ticket offices provide a place of safety for both staff and passengers.

 

Ticket office staff are trained and experienced in dealing with difficult incidents and the presence of staff deters abusive and anti-social behaviour.

 

Ticket office staff provide support and assistance to passengers during times of disruption or in response to emergencies and their role often includes carrying out safety and security checks at the station throughout the day.

 

We further note that:

 

Passenger watchdogs give us a consistent theme emerging from research, which is that passengers like and value the presence of staff. Having staffed ticket offices supports passenger perceptions and feelings around safety, and closing ticket offices could lead to passengers no longer feeling safe when travelling.

 

At the House of Commons debate on 6 July, 2023. Our MP, Afzal Khan for Manchester, Gorton gave this plea for our residents.

 

"The announced closure of 45 railway ticket offices across Greater Manchester, including at Levenshulme and Gorton stations, will be to the detriment of my constituents who depend on them. Just when we should be encouraging travel by rail to reduce our carbon footprint, this measure will push people away from our great British railways. We should be trying to make train travel easier, cheaper and more accessible, so why are the Government acting against the interests of the public?"

 

As a Council who declared a climate emergency in 2019 and with a commitment to being Zero Carbon by 2038, this Council expresses gratitude to our local MP for standing up for local people in Parliament and for the climate.

 

Therefore, this Council commits to: -

 

(1)      Sending a message of solidarity to the RMT, TSSA, and all unions and other organisations who are coordinating action to oppose these measures.

 

(2)      Thanking all Manchester Councillors who took action coordinated by the unions and other organisations.

 

(3)      Using all resources at our disposal to raise awareness amongst our residents about how they can continue take action against these measures, including:

 

(4)      Sending clear messages about the impact of these measures on our city and residents through direct mail, press statements and billboards

 

(5)      Signposting people to any further online consultations at Libraries and other council owned facilities.

 

(6)      Working in partnership with all our Manchester MPs and across Greater Manchester, with the GMCA and our GM Mayor, Andy Burnham to oppose these measures.

 

Councillor Lyons moved an amendment to the motion, which was seconded by Councillor Hilal, as follows: -

 

 

This Tory Government is again taking action to worsen the lives of ordinary working people already facing a cost-of-living crisis, by denying them widespread and easy access to the purchase of rail products and best value fares through the proposed closure of ticket offices.

 

These proposals also place many working people at risk of redundancy and there are no safeguards in place for future job security on our rail networks.

 

The announcement to carry out a public consultation within such a short time frame was farcical and clearly demonstrates how little interest this government has in the opinions of the majority of people in this country.

 

This Council is aware that:-

 

There are a range of products and services available at the ticket office, which may not be available from Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs). This includes refunds, season ticket changes, ranger and rover tickets, bus connections, park and ride, group save, disabled persons discount, season tickets over one month in length, advance fares, rail card purchases, off-peak tickets before 9.30am, changes to ticket classes, seat reservations, cycle reservations, photocards for season tickets, scholar tickets, sleeper bookings and car parking.

 

Using TVMs is a one-sided process, there is no interaction between customer and retailer like there is in the ticket office. In contrast, ticket office staff can ask customers questions about their journey and requirements to ensure they get the right ticket for their journey and can offer a range of routes and classes.

 

Many TVMs do not take cash, or permit a part cash, part card payment. Given that people on lower incomes and older and disabled people are more likely to use cash, these groups stand to be disproportionately affected by ticket office closures and may find it difficult to travel as a result.

 

Unlike ticket office staff, TVMs do not automatically offer passengers the cheapest ticket for their journey, or clearly explain restrictions on certain fares, such as operator-specific tickets.

 

Ticket Office staff also are best placed to sign post and safeguard facilities and other support for passengers with disabilities/accessibility or other equalities related needs.

 

Ticket office closures would cause a significant worsening of the facilities and support offered to disabled, Deaf and older people. Already, disabled people face numerous barriers in accessing the rail network and are three times less likely to travel by rail than non-disabled people. Twenty-two percent of the population had a disability in 2020/2 and since 2002/3 the number of people reporting a disability has increased by 3.8million (+35%).

 

This Council notes: -

 

That there has been overwhelming opposition to ticket office closures from disabled people’s organisations, including Disability Rights UK, National Federation of the Blind UK, Transport for All, RNIB, RNID, Guide Dogs, Scope, Thomas Pocklington Trust, Winvisible, Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People and the MS Society.

 

That disabled people are much less likely than non-disabled people to have access to the internet, and therefore online ticketing is not accessible for many.

 

That there is substantial demand for the ticket office. While the Government says that ‘only’ 12% of tickets are sold at ticket offices, in 2022/23, there were 1.5 billion passenger journeys, which equates to around 180 million journeys being facilitated by ticket offices.

 

The presence of staff is vital for ensuring the railway is accessible to all.

 

Staffed ticket offices have an important role in supporting passenger safety and security. Ticket offices provide a place of safety for both staff and passengers.

 

Ticket office staff are trained and experienced in dealing with difficult incidents and the presence of staff deters abusive and anti-social behaviour.

 

Ticket office staff provide support and assistance to passengers during times of disruption or in response to emergencies and their role often includes carrying out safety and security checks at the station throughout the day.

 

We further note that:

 

Passenger watchdogs give us a consistent theme emerging from research, which is that passengers like and value the presence of staff. Having staffed ticket offices supports passenger perceptions and feelings around safety, and closing ticket offices could lead to passengers no longer feeling safe when travelling.

 

At the House of Commons debate on 6 July, 2023. Our MP, Afzal Khan for Manchester, Gorton gave this plea for our residents.

 

"The announced closure of 45 railway ticket offices across Greater Manchester, including at Levenshulme and Gorton stations, will be to the detriment of my constituents who depend on them. Just when we should be encouraging travel by rail to reduce our carbon footprint, this measure will push people away from our great British railways. We should be trying to make train travel easier, cheaper and more accessible, so why are the Government acting against the interests of the public?"

 

 

Manchester is particularly badly hit, with threats to one of the busiest stations in the country with Manchester Piccadilly ticket office even forced to close. Local Labour Councillors across Gorton, Levenshulme, Withington, Burnage and East Didsbury (with support from Cllr Hilal) have been regularly lobbying to save their stations.

Since the announcement of the closure of ticket offices, Manchester’s Labour MPs, Greater Manchester’s Labour Mayor, Manchester City Council Executive Members, and Councillors have actively campaigned against closures from presence at local stations to encouraging responses to the consultation and working with community groups to threaten legal action.

 

As a Council who declared a climate emergency in 2019 and with a commitment to being Zero Carbon by 2038, this Council expresses gratitude to our local MP for standing up for local people in Parliament and for the climate.

 

Currently the consultation has closed and the Government must give certainty to staff, passengers and the public.

 

Therefore this Council commits to:-

 

(1)       Sending Continuing to send a message of solidarity to the RMT, TSSA, and all unions and other organisations who are coordinating action to oppose these measures

 

(2)       Thanking all Manchester Councillors who took action coordinated by Labour party, the unions and other organisations.

 

(3)       Using all Continue to resources at our disposal to raise awareness amongst our publiscise to our residents about how they can continue take action against these measures, and encourage them to continue lobbying the Government to reverse their plans including

 

(4)       Sending clear messages about the impact of these measures on our city and residents through direct mail, press statements and billboards

 

(5)       Signposting people to any further online consultations at Libraries and other council owned facilities.

 

(6)      Call on the Government to rethink their plans wWorking in partnership with all our Manchester MPs and across Greater Manchester, with the GMCA and our GM Mayor, Andy Burnham to oppose these measures.

 

The amendment was put to the Council and the Lord Mayor declared that it was carried.

 

The amended motion was put to the Council as the substantive motion and the Lord Mayor declared it was carried.

 

Resolution

 

This Council commits to: -

 

(1)       Continue to send a message of solidarity to the RMT, TSSA, and all unions and other organisations who are coordinating action to oppose these measures.

(2)       Thanking all Manchester Councillors who took action coordinated by Labour party, the unions and other organisations.

(3)      Continue to publiscise to our residents about how they can continue take action against these measures.and encourage them to continue lobbying the Government to reverse their plans

 

(4)      Call on the Government to rethink their plans working in partnership with all our Manchester MPs and across Greater Manchester, with the GMCA and our GM Mayor, Andy Burnham to oppose these measures.

 

(The Lord Mayor adjourned the meeting for ten minutes. The meeting resumed at 11.45am)