Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with South Western Railway on taking steps to support (a) elderly and (b) disabled passengers after the closure of ticket offices.

The Department has regular meetings with South Western Railways, as it does with all train operating companies, to discuss a wide range of topics, including how best to operate stations and serve passenger needs in the most efficient and effective way.

When proposing major changes to ticket office opening hours, including closures, operators are required to take into account the adequacy of the proposed alternatives in relation to the needs of all passengers; and to include this in the notice of the proposal sent to other operators and passenger groups. We would also expect operators to consider other equality related needs and make this clear in the notice sent to other operators and passenger groups.