
14 March 2019
RMT Press Office:
RMT warns of Greater Anglia threat to cheap tickets as they line up attack on offices and staff.
Rail union RMT warned today that train operator Greater Anglia is threatening to cut off access to cheap Advance Purchase and Super Off Peak tickets as they set out plans that would restrict sales to on-line only as part of a broader attack on ticket offices and staffing.
In proposals handed to the union the company say that, as part of a their pending Retail Guidelines schemes: “GA Advance Purchase and Super Off Peak Tickers to be designated as On Line only products”.
RMT has warned that such a move, tied in with a wider threat to close ticket office windows and remove staff, would have dire consequences for older passengers, those with disabilities and those without access to the internet. The union says that it also makes a mockery of a plan trumpeted by the Rail Delivery Group only a few weeks ago to ensure that everyone has access to the cheapest ticket.
RMT has pledged to fight the Greater Anglia proposals and to object to the DfT and London TravelWatch who would need to approve any closure programme.
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:
“It is frankly disgraceful that Greater Anglia are threatening to move their cheapest tickets to on-line only in a step that would hit the poorest and most vulnerable members of our society the hardest.
“The union is also deeply concerned that this move is bound up with a clear and present threat to both ticket office windows and the staff who run them.
“RMT will fight these damaging, retrograde and cash-led plans.”
Ends.