MP challenges GWR over ticket office closures

Sales down nationally, but up in Torbay

Plans to close the ticket office at Paignton railway station should be put on hold, according to Torbay’s MP.

GWR is consulting on proposals to move ticket office staff into other areas of stations, claiming they can help more customers. Fewer than 15 per cent of tickets across the GWR network are bought in the offices, the company says, adding: “Rail users are voting with their feet.”

But the proportion at Paignton and Torquay is much higher, and Mr Foster is calling on GWR to reprieve Paignton until the effects of the first wave of station office closures have been seen.

Writing on social media, he said: “Given the much higher percentage of passengers using the ticket office at Paignton than the national average, why is it included in the first wave of closures?

“The current usage indicates a continuing demand for this service, meaning it should be left open to allow consideration of the impact of ticket office closures at other stations where passenger demand is lower before any change is made here.”

GWR says digital tickets have made life ‘easier and faster’ for customers and fewer people than ever are using ticket offices. Regulations on selling tickets were set in 1996, before the invention of the smartphone.

Mr Foster also wants to know what  the staffing numbers at Paignton station will be.

At Paignton 41 per cent of tickets were sold at the ticket office in 2022/23, while at Torquay the figure is 29 per cent – still well above the national average. By contrast Totnes Station sees just 10 per cent of tickets sold from its ticket office.

The proposals would see ticket offices close at both Paignton and Torquay stations within a year.