Sally-Ann recently met with a representative of Southern Rail at Rye Station to discuss the proposed ticket office closures. Sally-Ann firmly believes that the ticket office in Rye should remain open. Rye is a unique town – a sought after destination for tourists and history enthusiasts and loved by locals. It makes sense that the ticket office is kept open because of the services it provides, especially to Rye’s older demographic, and to support the tourism that the town depends on.
A ticket office, with face-to-face contact rather than a ticket machine, provides better services and accessibility for residents and visitors alike. Rye is not only a tourist town which attracts many visitors who use our rail service, it is also a hub with people travelling from surrounding villages to use the station. The existing service is very important to local schoolchildren, the elderly and disabled people. Ticket offices offer a human touch, helping travellers navigate ticket options, address complex travel needs and provide real-time information. This in-person contact is particularly valuable for those who are not familiar with technology or online purchases, have special requirements or need immediate assistance.
Sally-Ann said: -
“I will do all that I can to ensure that Rye Station’s ticket office remains open. It is an important asset both to the community and those visiting our beautiful and ancient town. Due to the diversity of travellers and our local population demographic, I believe that closing the ticket office and only having staff on the platform will not work. The decision must not be based simply on the size and footfall at a station but on need. These rail companies seem to forget that towns like Rye are not fast-paced urban areas and that a significant number of people still use cash and want a human touch".
The deadline for the consultation about the rail companies’ proposals for the future of railway ticket offices has been extended until 1 September.
Please fill in the online consultation form to have your say: https://www.transportfocus.org.uk/ticket-office.../