Cutbacks mean facility will be available only 12.5 hours a week

The RMT Union have published figures which they say represent Transport for London’s plans to dramatically cut opening hours at ticket offices on London Overground.

Acton Central and South Acton appear on the list of stations to be affected with the former particularly hard hit with an 85% reduction in opening hours from 84.25 to 12.5 a week. South Acton would see a reduction of 23% from 16.25 to 12.5. Under the new proposals it is thought likely the offices would only be open 7:30 – 10:00 am, Monday to Friday.

This would be a disappointment to local commuters who celebrated earlier in the year when the offices were taken off a list to be closed entirely. The proposals equate to a cut in hours of over 65% across the Overground. Many stations are facing cuts in hours of over 80%.

In all 45 stations will have their opening hours cut to what the union describes as the ‘bare minimum’ and the ticket offices at Brondesbury, White Hart Lane and West Hampstead will close altogether.

Jonathan Fox, TfL's Director of Rail and Sponsored Services, said: “We made clear back in the Spring that, after listening closely to the views of Londoners, ticket offices on London Overground will remain open during the times of day when customers need them most.

“The busiest ticket offices will continue to operate the same hours as they do now. At quieter stations, ticket offices will be open a minimum of 0730-1000 Monday to Friday, and longer where there is customer demand. Only one station that currently has a ticket office will not have one in the future owing to the space being required for the much-needed installation of a lift. For the RMT to suggest otherwise is untrue.

“All London Overground stations will continue to be staffed from 15 minutes before the first train to 15 minutes after the last, ensuring they remain safe and secure for our customers.”

Last year, London Overground planned to close 51 ticket offices on the network. However, a campaign was launched with the support of the RMT and thousands of London Overground passengers opposed the closures leading to the Mayor intervening and promising to keep the ticket offices open.

RMT will be launching the new wave of campaigning with a day of action on Friday 11 October - with a leafleting and postcard campaign taking place at stations around the capital.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said, “These plans to cut ticket office opening hours are about cutting costs and maximising profits and fly in the face of the Mayor’s promise last year to keep the ticket offices open.

“We are holding a day of action tomorrow as part of a fresh wave of campaigning to halt these ticket office closures and to ensure that London Overground is safe, secure and accessible.

“RMT will be fighting to keep ticket offices fully open and oppose the proposed cuts and we expect the same widespread support from the travelling public that we had when fought to save ticket offices last year.”

A TfL spokesman's confirmed the proposed changes are correct but they have not said when they will be implemented.

Jonathan Fox, TfL's Director of Rail and Sponsored Services, said: “We made clear back in the Spring that, after listening closely to the views of Londoners, ticket offices on London Overground will remain open during the times of day when customers need them most.

“The busiest ticket offices will continue to operate the same hours as they do now. At quieter stations, ticket offices will be open a minimum of 0730-1000 Monday to Friday, and longer where there is customer demand. Only one station that currently has a ticket office will not have one in the future owing to the space being required for the much-needed installation of a lift. For the RMT to suggest otherwise is untrue.

“All London Overground stations will continue to be staffed from 15 minutes before the first train to 15 minutes after the last, ensuring they remain safe and secure for our customers.”

October 10, 2019