TICKET TO RILE

Sunak backs axing 974 booths, despite growing opposition

- JOHN STEVENS

RISHI Sunak last night defended the mass closure of rail ticket offices, despite huge opposition and safety fears for passengers.

More than 680,000 people have responded to an official consultation on the proposals.

But the PM risks infuriating those who disagree with the closures by refusing to say whether he will listen to them and order rail firms to axe the cull of 974 ticket offices.

The closures will particularly hit the disabled, elderly and vulnerable. Mr Sunak, who is in New Delhi, India, for the G20 summit, was asked if he will respect the wishes of people should the majority want their local ticket office to stay open.