Ruils joins protest against SW Railways closing Ticket Offices
On Monday August 21st, Ruils staff team, volunteers, Trustees and clients joined the Mortlake Station demonstration, organised by local Councillors in Mortlake, Sheen and Barnes, to raise voices against proposals made by rail companies to close ticket offices across the country. Cllr Julia Cambridge helped to organise the community and was joined by MP Sarah Olney, leader of Richmond Borough Gareth Roberts and many other organisations on the day.
Tickets offices at stations across Richmond Borough will be affected by these closures and these cuts will have a disproportionate impact on disabled people and the elderly.
Having staff based at ticket offices is not just about selling tickets. Ticket office staff help:
- travellers feel safe, knowing they can speak with someone if they need help
- people buy appropriate and cost effective tickets, including wheelchair discounted tickets not available on machines and visually impaired people who cannot access ticket machines
- disabled and elderly people get on and off of trains safely
- people with learning disabilities by providing a static and permanent space that they know they can go to for support
...and so much more!
We are urging everyone to share their views on the consultation before the deadline of September 1st.
Click here to respond to the consultation.
Click here to sign the Petition to Parliament.
Together we can show the rail companies that we will not allow them to lock people out of safe and independent travel!
Group of Ruils staff, Trustees, volunteers & service users
Group shot of protesters in front of Mortlake Station
Ruils and Richmond AID staff and service users