ScotRail to Cut Hours at 31 Ticket Offices Starting Next Month

ScotRail will change ticket office hours in March. Thirty-one offices will have fewer open hours. Six offices will have longer hours, mostly weekends. One hundred six offices will keep the same hours. No ticket offices will close due to these changes. ScotRail stated no staff job losses will occur.

ScotRail says this improves service for travelers today, claiming the changes better fit current ticket buying trends. The new setup should enhance both safety and support. They considered feedback from many groups involved and adapted plans based on what they learned.

Staff from reduced-hour offices will do other tasks, including barrier duties and checking tickets. The aim is to help and protect passengers. Staff will move onto platforms to assist travelers and make platforms safer for everyone.

The RMT union opposes these changes, believing this secretly cuts staff levels. Without ticket offices, future jobs are not secure. They said it’s a betrayal of the passengers, as the union feels stations will be understaffed, leaving passengers without the support needed.

ScotRail claims these changes will improve help, but the union thinks reduced hours make stations unsafe. Accessibility may decrease for some passengers like the elderly. They want the government to stop the changes now, worrying about lasting damage to the rail service.

ScotRail first planned changes last October, wanting to cut hours at fifty-four offices then. Data suggested most people buy tickets online now. They changed their plans after getting feedback, consulting staff and unions, adapting the final plan.