As a local Member of Parliament, you work on a wide range of issues – from highly complex national and international topics; through to local neighbourhood concerns.
It is important that you treat all of them with the attention that they deserve, because they have a real and significant impact on the lives of the people you represent.
Over the past few weeks, I have heard from so many constituents concerned about plans to close ticket offices across the country – including our local ticket office at Hitchin Station.
They have told me about the hugely important role that ticket offices play in helping people in our community to travel easily, safely and comfortably.
In particular, I have heard many stories of people who have been unable to book tickets online who have been helped by ticket office staff; certain ticket fares unavailable on machines at the station resolved by staff in the ticket office; help with long and complicated journeys requiring multiple tickets; and much more.
While the rail companies have put steps in place to ensure that support staff remain at stations, it is clear to me that this decision to close ticket offices will have a significant detrimental impact on people in our constituency – particularly vulnerable adults and the elderly.
I am completely opposed to it and have communicated my opposition to the rail companies in the strongest possible terms. I have also ensured that Ministerial colleagues are aware of the strength of feeling on this issue.
I will continue to do everything I can to protect local people’s ability to access the level of service that they rightly expect when using our railways. I hope that decision-makers will re-consider their plan to close ticket offices.
You can let me know if you back my position on ticket offices online at www.bimafolami.co.uk/ticket-offices.
