Passenger Focus Consultation on SWT Ticket Office Opening Hours

Dear Colleague,

URGENT ASSISTANCE REQUIRED:- Passenger Focus consultation on South West Trains ticket office opening hours

South West Trains (SWT) has announced proposals to reduce opening hours of ticket offices at 15 stations outside London, and 9 stations in London. From the 25th February these proposals have been advertised to passengers who will have 21 days to have their say. Passenger Focus is urging passengers and railway staff to contact them with their views on the proposed changes.

At a national level, along with the Campaign for Better Transport, RMT is making the strongest objections to the South West Trains proposal to cut ticket office opening hours at 24 stations in London and the South East. Your Union has warned that the cost cutting plans being bulldozed through on South West Trains will lead to a massive deterioration in customer service and will seriously increase the risk of assaults at stations at evening and weekends. We want RMT South West Trains activists to contact Passenger Focus too for the maximum impact. Without delay you can use the attached template letter and email it to: info@passengerfocus.org.uk

This consultation has a very short timescale and members concerned should respond immediately. The short timescale has meant that no postcard campaign could be launched in response to the proposed cuts. Members are encouraged to comment on the SWT’s proposal by getting in contact with Passenger Focus via info@passengerfocus.org.uk, or by calling the passenger advice team on 0300 123 2350 or by writing to Freepost PO Box 4257, Manchester, M60 3AR. London members can also contact London TravelWatch at London TravelWatch, 6 Middle Street, LONDON, EC1A 7JA.

Yours sincerely,

Bob Crow

General Secretary

please click on this link to download the template letter to send to

Passenger Focus:::http://www.scribd.com/doc/28090117/Template-Letter-to-Passenger-Focus