Proactive Investors - Mass closures of the UK’s railway ticket offices are expected to be confirmed on Wednesday, according to reports.
Industry bosses could well announce plans, which have unions up in arms, to consult on closing almost all of the UK’s train station kiosks later on.
According to industry body the Rail Delivery Group, just 12% of train tickets are sold in railway stations, with the rise in online sellers such as Trainline PLC (LON:TRNT) pushing the figure down from 85% in 1995.
Unions have slated the plans meanwhile, arguing the move would see thousands of jobs axed while leaving vulnerable and disabled passengers unable to use the railways.
“Train operating companies and the government must understand that we will vigorously oppose any moves to close ticket offices,” RMT Union boss Mick Lynch warned last week.
Around a thousand ticket hubs could be closed under the move, which would mark a wider effort to modernise and reform Britain’s railways.
Former prime minister Boris Johnson had argued physical ticket offices were “barely used” as the railway’s long-running industrial disputes began roughly a year ago.
Staff would be notified of any job losses in advance of public announcements, with the decision coming after public consultation, the Rail Delivery Group has previously reassured.
Mick Lynch tipped RMT would “bring into effect full industrial force” to stop the plans meanwhile, hinting at an escalation in the pay and conditions row which continues to this day.
Shares in rail operator FirstGroup PLC (LON:FGP) fell early on Wednesday following the news, while Trainline rose at the open.