Local MP Alan Mak has welcomed news that his campaign to keep railway station ticket offices in the Havant Constituency open has been successful.
Plans by rail companies to close ticket offices have now been scrapped after Mr Mak and the government raised concerns about the impact it would have on accessibility.
Mr Mak had written to Transport Focus, a consultative body representing national railway operators, to voice his opposition to the closure of ticket offices at stations in the Havant Constituency.
He also wrote to South Western Railway and Govia Thameslink Railway, which manage Havant, Bedhampton, Emsworth and Warblington stations.
Now, following consultation with travel watchdogs and accessibility groups, train operators have been asked to withdraw their proposals.
The Rail Delivery Group, on behalf of train companies, had proposed shutting ticket offices across the country. These would have been replaced by ‘roving ticket assistants’, who would be able to sell tickets to passengers from portable devices, as well as offer assistance.
The second major proposed change was an overall reduction in the hours that remaining ticket offices and assistants would be available to support customers.
Mr Mak opposed the changes because he didn't believe they provided a good enough alternative for those passengers who found it difficult to use ticket machines or book tickets online.
He said: "I’m delighted my campaign backed by local residents has been successful. Keeping railway ticket offices open protects people who would otherwise struggle to access train services. Our railways do need to be cost-effective, but I strongly believe that train operators must continue to ensure vulnerable passengers can use the network and that means retaining ticket offices."
