The union said despite the rail firm’s claims that only 54 stations would be affected, RMT analysis has revealed that 101 stations may face ‘significant reductions’ in ticket office hours.
While ScotRail asserts that staffing levels will be maintained, the RMT has warned the cuts ‘leave no guarantee for future staffing, as ticket offices are the only regulated staffing requirement at stations’.
READ MORE: ScotRail warning ahead of big event in Glasgow
The union said: “Closing these offices opens the door for staffing reductions by stealth, with no obligation for ScotRail to consult the public.”
Mick Lynch, RMT General Secretary, added: “ScotRail and the Scottish Government are trying to pull the wool over the public’s eyes by underplaying the extent of these cuts.
“Our analysis lays bare the real picture: over 100 stations stand to lose staffed hours, putting passengers, staff, and service quality at risk.
“We are calling on the Scottish Government to stop these plans before they do damage to Scotland’s rail service.”
The RMT say at some stations, reductions are ‘drastic’ that they amount to ‘closures in all but name’.
For example, the union claims Dalmarnock faces a 90% reduction, losing 96 hours weekly.
Meanwhile, Wemyss Bay would allegedly see a 61% cut, reducing service by 70 hours per week and Ardrossan South Beach could lose 60% of its hours, a cut of 69 hours each week.
A spokesperson for the RMT added: “In total, these cuts would reduce staffed hours by nearly 2,800 across the network every week, creating a sharp decline in available ticket office services.
“ScotRail’s proposals include minor increases in hours at 12 stations, largely by opening on Sundays, but RMT insists that any increase must not come at the cost of network-wide cuts, especially when nearly two-thirds of ScotRail’s stations are already unstaffed.
Mr Lynch added: “RMT is calling on the Scottish Government to intervene, and abandon these reckless cuts, so they can ensure that ScotRail provides a safe, staffed, and accessible service that Scotland’s rail passengers and communities deserve.”
Richard Leonard, Labour MSP and long-time campaigner for railway workers said: “ScotRail’s plans to cut ticket office hours by a quarter across Scotland will not just deter some people from using the railway, it will deny them access altogether.
“This is a public service and ScotRail is in public ownership.
“The Scottish government still has the opportunity to put the public first and reverse these cuts.”
ScotRail has been contacted for comments.
