Proposed cuts to staffing hours in ticket offices across the ScotRail network will make it far more difficult for disabled passengers to travel.
The Scottish Government has granted ScotRail permission to cut ticket office hours at more than 100 stations on Scotland’s Railways.
Many disabled passengers already struggle to travel on Scotland’s Railways; with an inefficient booking system, uneven platforms and inaccessible stations, these proposals would be a hammer blow to disabled passengers who rely on ScotRail services.
Scottish Greens transport spokesperson Mark Ruskell MSP said the party is backing a campaign by the RMT rail workers union to call on the Scottish Government and ScotRail to stop the cuts to station staff.
Mr Ruskell said: “These cuts would have a devastating effect on Scotland’s Railways for workers and passengers.
“In particular, these cuts will harm the many disabled passengers who rely on Scotland’s railways; these station staff are vital for helping them board trains and ensuring that they safely make their journeys.
“The expertise of station staff is crucially important during the cost of living crisis, ensuring that they are there to provide help to navigate a complicated system while providing advice on the cheapest tickets and best times to travel by train.
“The Scottish Greens believe there are many other things that need to be dealt with on Scotland’s Railways, such as extortionate ticket prices, empty first-class carriages and lack of government support for reopening former routes such as the Peterhead rail link and the Dunfermline to Alloa line.
“I hope ScotRail and the Scottish Government reverse these damaging plans and protect our ticket office staff from future cuts.”
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