CRUEL & UNFARE

Train firms admit closures will hit elderly and disabled | Union boss demands cull is ditched due to safety fears

- JOHN STEVENS

RMT boss Mick Lynch last night demanded the cull of ticket offices be axed after train firms warned of the devastating consequences for vulnerable passengers.

Rail chiefs admitted the disabled and elderly face being swindled by crooks at automatic machines, left feeling unsafe on stations and unable to pay with cash.

The hard of hearing will struggle to get proper direction with reduced staffing and those with visual impairments may find it hard to see ticket machine screens properly.

And bosses warn the Tory-backed changes could leave vulnerable passengers ditching train travel.

There are also fears people feeling suicidal will not get the support they need if no station staff are available.

The damning findings came after train firms were asked to carry out Equality and Diversity Impact Assessment reviews on how shutting almost all train station ticket offices would affect vulnerable users.

Mr Lynch said: "The fact that train companies' own equality impact assessments show the detrimental effect of ticket office closures means the endeavour must be scrapped.

"The purpose of closing ticket offices is to open the way for the widespread de-staffing of stations up and down the country.

"We will continue our campaign alongside disabled and passenger groups to save our ticket offices.