The TSSA rail union is urging the public to make one ‘final push’ to achieve well over a half million comments in response to the public consultation to closing ticket offices.

There is one day left for the public to respond, as the consultation closes at 3:59 tomorrow, Friday, 1 September. Unprecedented numbers are opposing the plans, and as of last week, official figures from Transport Focus showed 460,000 people were opposed to the plans.

Since the plans to close most ticket offices were announced earlier this year, the TSSA union has led the efforts to protect the vital jobs and services that the offices provide. Throughout its campaign, the TSSA has encouraged the public to respond in their thousands, achieving over a half million responses to the consultation.

Throughout the country, TSSA members have engaged with the public and rail users to hear their concerns about the closures, and these have consistently highlighted safety and accessibility if they were to close.

Major concerns among older and vulnerable passengers are they will be digitally excluded and therefore be unable to take advantage of best-value tickets.

TSSA has co-operated in joint campaigns being run by sister unions, including ASLEF, as well as groups such as We Own It and the National Pensioners Convention.

TSSA Interim General Secretary, Peter Pendle, thanked the public and urged any rail users who have not yet done so to take part in the ticket office consultation before it ends late on 1 September. He said: “It has been heartwarming to see so many people from across our communities come together to oppose the Conservatives’ foolish and unnecessary plans.

“There’s still time to make sure that we go well beyond half a million responses to the consultation and send a crystal-clear message that our ticket offices must remain open.

“We want to thank the public for responding so positively to our campaign, you have made it clear that ticket offices are vital community institutions and must be protected for the good of all rail users.

“In the last two months, we’ve worked with our sister unions, community groups and rail users to warn the government to keep their hands off our ticket offices. It’s clear that the public recognise that ticket offices perform an essential role in making our railways safe and accessible for all.

“If we lose these services now, we risk losing them for good – we must make one final push and urge the government to think again. The consultation closes tomorrow, we urge anyone who has not yet done so to take part and make it clear that the proposals to close ticket offices are unacceptable.”