Vulnerable communities in Wiltshire could be severely impacted by plans to close 'nearly all' ticket offices in train stations across the UK.

Plans to axe ticket offices have been leaked from the Department of Transport by sources close to the Association of British Commuters, a grassroots organisation.

It has been suggested the cuts could begin as early as next week, the RMT union has warned, with almost 1,000 offices possibly being axed.

It is reported to be at attempt to cut costs and “modernise” the railway by the Government.

But it has been argued by the industry that only about one in eight tickets are now bought at a ticket office.

More than 30,000 Wiltshire residents registered disabled, who might rely on manned ticket offices to meet their accessibility needs when getting the train, such as help navigating the station or getting onto trains safely.

On top of this, 19% of disabled adults in the UK don’t have access to the internet, so they wouldn’t be able to buy tickets or find information on a smartphone either. 

There would be a similar effect on the elderly, as only 54% of those over 75 are internet users, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Not only are ticket offices essential for disabled travellers, they also offer services that either cannot be done on an app such as buying a same-day railcard or finding advice for alternative journeys when your train is cancelled last minute.

Office staff also have other tasks, like unlocking facilities like the waiting room, and they are the only people who can help travellers if the ticket machines decide to malfunction.

Speaking to this paper, The Rail Delivery Group denied the reforms would mean there won’t be staff to help disabled travellers, they just won’t be found in ticket offices.

A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group said they have been negotiating a reform package with the RMT.

This would include ‘moving staff from ticket offices to concourses, where with extra training, they will be better able to help customers, not just with buying tickets, but also offering travel advice and helping those with accessibility needs.’

The organisation adds that these negotiations have currently been stalled by RMT.

The RMT has launched a social media campaign called #SaveTicketOffices where they are posting photos of busy ticket offices and encouraging their followers to do the same, and their petition currently has 25,000 signatures.

They are also encouraging people to write to their local MP if they have concerns about cuts to ticket offices in their local railway stations.