Skip to main content
Site logo

Main navigation

  • Home
  • 5 Priorities
  • News
  • About Helen
  • Newsletters
  • Cost of living
  • Contact
  • My speeches
Site logo

Success for ticket office campaign!

  • Tweet
Tuesday, 31 October, 2023
  • Local News
Helen at Bearsted station

It might be hard to remember the last time you bought a ticket from the ticket office from the station.

The introduction of ticket machines and e-tickets have led to faster and more convenient journeys for millions of passengers up and down the country, and for lots of us it's only when confronted with a broken machine that you might rely on one.

But for many disabled and older passengers, ticket offices remain an absolute lifeline - without which they simply wouldn't be able to travel.

That's why when train operators put forward plans to close ticket offices as part of the modernisation of our railway earlier this year, I heard from countless passengers worried about the impact this might have on them. I wrote to the Rail Minister back in August setting out local concern, and have been waiting to find out the result of the consultation.

I was really pleased to see the announcement today that the government has listened, and the planned closures won't be going ahead. It’s a win for everyone who spoke up, and goes to show that a collective voice does get heard.

As I said at the time, we have to modernise the railway if we want to secure its future, but that can’t involve leaving disabled and older passengers behind.

That’s why I’ve also been supporting bids for accessibility improvements at Headcorn, Faversham and Lenham stations. Trains are a ticket to independence for so many people and we’ve got to keep it that way.

You may also be interested in

Brenley Corner

Keeping Kent moving

Whether it’s the school run or commute to work, travel is part of life for many of us.
Helen with Minister for Energy at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Who's responsible for battery safety at Cleve Hill?

Wednesday, 4 June, 2025
I recently visited the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to meet with the Minister for Energy about solar battery arrays. I wanted to know that everything would be done that should be to check that batteries at Cleve Hill Solar Farm are safe before they’re switched on.

Show only

  • Articles
  • Local News
  • Opinions
  • Westminster News

Helen Whately Member of Parliament for Faversham and Mid Kent

Footer

  • About RSS
  • Accessibility
  • Cookies
  • Privacy
  • About Helen
  • In Parliament
Promoted by Helen Whately of Kent Conservatives, Suite 2, Paddock Wood Business Centre, Commercial Road, Paddock Wood, Kent TN12 6EN.
Copyright 2025 Helen Whately Member of Parliament for Faversham and Mid Kent . All rights reserved.
Powered by Bluetree