Malvern residents urged to protest train ticket office closures

The ticket offices at both Great Malvern Station and Malvern Link are set to close under plans revealed by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) this week.

Malvern mayor Clive Hooper said residents had expressed “considerable dismay” over the plans, which would see stations manned by staff from new “mobile teams”.

RDG has pledged that passengers with accessibility needs will be supported.

Mayor Clive Hooper is against the proposed closure of ticket offices (Image: Malvern Town Council)

But Cllr Hooper said: “In reality, these proposals are appalling, particularly for elderly, disabled and vulnerable passengers and those who rely on face-to-face interactions for guidance, or may not have access to online ticketing services.

“Ticket offices play a crucial role in ensuring the safety, security and wellbeing of passengers.

“Trained staff on-site can provide reassurance and assistance in case of emergencies or unforeseen circumstances.”

He is urging people to have their say by responding to the public consultation that is due to end on July 26.

You can do this by emailing TicketOffice.WMT@transportfocus.org.uk or by writing (no stamp needed) to RTEH-XAGE-BYKZ, Transport Focus, PO Box 5594, Southend on Sea, SS1 9PZ. 

“Network Rail has just spent £4 million on refurbishing the Grade 2 listed Great Malvern station and another significant sum very recently upgrading Malvern Link station,” said Cllr Hooper.

READ MORE: The county train ticket offices threatened with closure

“The published proposals tell us we will have two unstaffed open stations, with frequently unusable ticket machines and limited travel information screens.

“With no daily maintenance these showpiece stations will become neglected and dirty. We are a tourist town and attempt to attract visitors by rail; this is going to have the opposite effect.”

Andrew Huntley, chairman of Malvern Civic Society, also urged rail users to have their say before the consultation ends.

He said: “Closing the ticket office is not an improvement for the next generation.

“A station which is unmanned offers no assistance to passengers and any financial saving is at the expense of the passengers.”

RDG says ticket office staff will be replaced by "new, multi-skilled ‘customer help’ roles – which are already in place at many stations".

"[This] will mean staff are able to help more customers across a whole range of needs, from buying tickets, to offering travel advice and helping those with accessibility needs."