Campaigning against South West Trains cuts
16th July 2008
This Friday, Southampton MP Alan Whitehead will be at Southampton Central train station campaigning against proposed cuts to local station ticket offices.
South West Trains is proposing to reduce opening hours at a number of smaller stations in the south, including several in Southampton.
Under South West Train’s proposals, St Denys, Woolston and Swaythling stations would be completely unstaffed at the weekends and would have their weekly opening hours reduced.
In response Dr Whitehead tabled House of Commons Early Day Motion 1969 which states:
- That this House notes with extreme concern plans by South West Trains to close ticket offices and cut ticket office opening hours at 114 stations;
- believes that such cuts cannot be justified when these stations have seen a combined increase in passengers of nearly 27 per cent. in the last year;
- is further concerned that the cuts will dramatically increase the number of stations that will lose their ticket offices entirely during weekends and will leave stations unstaffed at weekends and in the evening making railway stations and passengers who use them feel less secure;
- believes that replacing staff with ticket machines will also reduce the quality and range of services available to passengers;
- and calls on South West Trains immediately to withdraw its plans.
The Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) is also opposing the cuts.Dr Whitehead will be campaigning with members from the local union this Friday.
TSSA General Secretary Gerry Doherty said:
“There is no justification whatsoever for these cuts given Stagecoach’s record profits this year. This will mean less safe stations, particularly at weekends and in the evenings, and more expensive journeys for passengers. You cannot ask a machine for the cheapest ticket.”
Dr Whitehead said:
“At a time when the number of people travelling by train is at a record high and Southampton is struggling to reduce congestion, this move by South West Trains sends completely the wrong message. I look forward to campaigning with local train staff to make the point that these cuts cannot be justified.”
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: On Friday 18th July Alan will be campaigning with local members of the TSSA at Southampton Central Train Station. Alan will be at the Platform 1 side of the station from 11.45-12.45, meeting with commuters and asking their views on the proposed cuts. Local union members will be handing out leaflets encouraging commuters to respond to South West Trains consultation on the proposed closures.
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