A LARGE number of letter writers to The Press have recently expressed concern and anger about Virgin Trains’ proposals to revamp York station and praising the friendly, helpful ticket office staff.
The proposals include new shops and first class lounge, an open plan ticket office with more ticket machines and fewer staff.
Staff would “interact” with customers, helping them use the ticket machines or by selling tickets using hand held gadgets.
The main intention is obviously to save costs by cutting staff numbers.
Many people seek advice on routes, timetables and fares and the staff have a wide breadth of knowledge to help passengers plan their journeys.
Hand held gadgets are unlikely to be adequate for this.
People with any form of disability may need assistance and many of us prefer face to face interaction with staff rather than using an automated ticket machine.
There are also many tourists including foreign visitors.
With less staff on hand, there would be longer queues and it would be chaotic.
For anyone concerned about the proposals, there is now a petition online at https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-york-station-ticket-office-and-staffing-levels
Susan Leadley, Kilburn Road, York
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