LONDON North Eastern Railway LNER which operates services on the East Coast Main Line, said it plans to close a number of facilities including Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Ticket offices will only be retained at Newcastle, York, Doncaster, Peterborough and London King’s Cross.
The operator’s managing director David Horne said: “Our customers’ habits have changed, and we must plan for the needs of our future customers.
“We want everyone to enjoy an even better experience when travelling with LNER.”
LNER said the plans are not final, and they encouraged people to provide feedback through the Transport Focus public consultation, published in due course.
People can provide feedback directly to TicketOffice.LNER@transportfocus.org.uk.
The public consultation opened on July 5 and runs for three weeks to July 26
LNER will then consult on the feedback and address concerns collated by Transport Focus on behalf of the users of, or those with an interest in Berwick-upon-Tweed Station.
The Rail and Maritime Trade Union said “some of these companies are cutting up to two thirds of their Staff.”
Travellers will be forced to rely on apps and remote mobile staff to assist them rather than trained staff at stations.
This will be catastrophic for older and disabled passengers and the TOC`s should be looking to enhance the service provided to the public not destroying it!
This is anything but progressive, forward looking and inclusive “modernisation.”
As part of the Campaign to Save Berwick Ticket Office, and all other threatened Ticket Offices, Mick Lynch, General Secretary of the RMT, will be speaking at a Public Rally at the Maltings, Eastern Lane, Berwick on Friday July 21st between 5pm and 7pm.
Other speakers will represent Disabled People Against the Cuts, the National Pensioners Convention and a local Councillor.
Scottish Borders MP John Lamont said: “I am concerned that these proposals could result in worse customer service for passengers, including the many thousands of Borders residents who regularly use the station.
“It seems unlikely that railway users will be better served by the closure of a ticket office and a reduction in the availability of several ticket types.
“My concerns will be made clear to LNER and I would encourage everyone to contribute to this consultation and make their feelings clear if they feel the same way.
“It is disappointing that the consultation period is only 21 days during the summer holiday period."
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