Sereena Davey criticises reduced hours for ticket offices across Elmbridge.

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sun 20th Jul 2008

Sereena Davey, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Esher and Walton, has criticised SW Trains proposals to significantly reduce opening hours for ticket offices across Elmbridge.

She said:

"SW Trains proposals to reduce ticket office opening hours across Elmbridge, at a time when they are trying to reduce fare evasion, make little sense.

"While SW Trains will argue that travellers can buy tickets from the machines, regular commuters like myself know that this will not solve the problem - ticket machines are often out of order, refuse debit cards, or have run out of change. I have written to SW Trains suggesting they do a proper audit of when and how travellers need to purchase tickets.

"My station - Hersham - is notorious for being shut even during its official opening hours, in peak periods this leaves commuters in lengthy queues. With proposals to reduce the hours further and close on Saturdays when many people renew their season tickets, the Monday morning queues will just get worse.

"SW Trains are generally very reliable and punctual and it is shame the ticketing facilities across our area let them down so badly."