The decision by transport bosses to close nearly 1,000 ticket offices
across the UK network would discriminate against older people and thosewith disabilities and force them to stay in their homes. ---- Thetransport bosses claim ticket offices are no longer needed because mostpassengers buy online, through smartphone apps or at station machines.This discriminates against older people because they are less likely tobook online or use apps. They plan on axing ticket offices at 974stations, nearly everyone in the country, and say staff will bere-deployed to platforms and concourses.This decision follows pressure by the Tory government for rail operatorsto cut spending after the Covid pandemic led to a drop in passengers.Over one million people have given up their broadband contracts, mostbecause they cannot afford them, and so have far less access to onlinebooking.Older and disabled people rely on staff at ticket offices helping them.Ticket machines do not have a full range of tickets, they do not takecash, and don't always offer a good deal. In addition, ticket officestaff have a wide knowledge and experience of travel on the rail networkand can find the cheapest and best routes to destinations.Ticket office sales still stand at 180 million journeys, so the linethat ticket offices are no longer being used is tosh. In the drive foreveryone to get a smartphone, be onlineThe drive for everyone to be online, have a smartphone, use AI ,marginalises those who cannot afford to do so, or are reluctant orpuzzled how to use these technologies.In the process, older people, disabled people and the impoverished arepushed aside.Photo: ACG flag at Ticket Office demo on August 31st, 2023 in Londonhttps://www.anarchistcommunism.org/2023/09/01/ticket-office-closures/_________________________________________A - I N F O S N E W S S E R V I C EBy, For, and About AnarchistsSend news reports to A-infos-en mailing listA-infos-en@ainfos.ca
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