A PETITION against massive changes at York railway station has been signed by 2,000 people within a week of its launch.

The petition, headed ‘Save York Station Ticket Office and Staffing Levels’, comes after The Press revealed in May that station operator Virgin wanted to replace its traditional travel centre with a more open-plan customer zone, as well as creating a first class lounge and shops.

Virgin said then that staff would no longer sit behind counters but ‘interact’ with passengers, selling them tickets using new technology such as hand held devices, if they preferred not to use machines, or helping them to use new ticket machines if they want assistance.

The petition urges Virgin to retain the office and staffing, and continue providing an excellent customer service and retain the staff’s knowledge and expertise so they can assist customers with planning routes. It also calls for “the aesthetics” of the heritage Grade 2 listed station building to be preserved.

Petition organiser Susan Leadley, from the Fulford Road area, whose petition can be found at https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-york-station-ticket-office-and-staffing-levels, said she had been amazed at the public’s response and support for her campaign.

She said she used the station quite often and was always greeted with a smile by friendly travel centre staff.

Comments by signatories included: “Machines are no replacement for friendly, helpful people who can understand the complex wants of a traveller”, and: “ If Virgin persists with this ridiculous idea it will just be further proof of their cynical disregard for customers.”

Virgin Train’s customer experience director Claire Ansley said it was planning to improve customers’ experience at the station with the changes.

“Our customer zone will create more, not less, opportunities for face-to-face interaction with our people in an informal, warm and friendly environment,” she said.

“It will act as a one-stop shop for all enquiries, advice and ticket purchases.

“We recognise that, while people are increasingly buying tickets online and via significantly improved ticket machines, many people also wish to continue to buy tickets directly from our people at our stations and they’ll be able to continue to do exactly that within the customer zone.”