16 July 2023 , 17:37
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Passengers will struggle to buy the cheapest rail fares when hundreds of ticket offices close. Staff have been warned of 2,000 job cuts as they told how they help people get better deals.
But plans to axe offices, which includes the home of George the cat in Stourbridge, West Mids, may put this in jeopardy.
A worker at Birmingham’s Five Ways station said: “It’s fine if a commuter wants a straight-forward ticket but if they want to make a long-distance journey the machine fare isn’t always the best option.”
Rail user John Roberts said the ticket machine at Nailsea & Blackwell in Somerset does not offer a £62 off-peak single for the 08.15 to London Paddington and only shows the peak fare of £130.50.
Ticket office staff are able to advise on how to get the cheapest ticket possible - often by splitting tickets for the journey. They also warn that ticket machines cannot advise on potential savings by using a rail card.
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Jacqueline Starr, Rail Delivery Group chief executive, said: “The ways our customers buy tickets has changed and it’s time for the railway to change with them.”
How passengers can save using the ticket office
Blackburn to Leicester with senior railcard
Machine: £87.70
Office: £42
Birmingham New Street to Bristol Temple Meads
Machine: £68.10
Office: £42.70
Chester to Liverpool return
Machine: £8.75
Office: £5.95 (Off-peak day saver)
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Birmingham New Street to York
Machine: £79.10
Office: £57.30
Worcester Foregate Street to Crewe return
Machine: £55.20
Office: £32, as the staff can issue a West Midlands Day Tripper, whereas the machine can only offer an open return.
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