Watford Junction ticket offices' future in doubt

London Northwestern Railway revealed it is considering a "migration to digital technology" after unions accused the rail industry of planning to close offices.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union said the industry is carrying out a consultation in August and is scheduled to start scrapping sites from October.

A day of action is being planned on August 23.

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  Director of campaign group We Own It Cat Hobbs said: “Passengers want ticket offices on our railway, not just a machine.

“We all need them, from children on their first solo trip, to elderly passengers who don’t have a smartphone to buy a ticket.”

RMT launches bid to save Britain's railway ticket offices@RMTunion and @We_OwnIt will attempt to stop the closure of all ticket offices on the railway network with a mass campaign across the country. 🧵https://t.co/gqXnWo0aRJ pic.twitter.com/D88QpyENys

— RMT (@RMTunion) July 23, 2022

A London Northwestern Railway spokesperson said: “No decisions have been taken over the future of ticket offices, including Watford Junction.

“The rail industry, in partnership with the Government, is currently considering how to keep pace with changing passenger habits, including migration to digital technology.

“Any modernisation proposals will always strive to keep tickets easily available and recognise the benefit of face-to-face assistance for passengers.”

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