On Monday C2C launched a consultation on their ticket office opening hours. The changes are the first since the mid-1990's and the train operator has explained that with more customers using contactless payment, smartphones and the C2C smartcard the current ticket office opening hours are not sustainable given reduction in demand.
Details of the consultation can be found here: https://www.c2c-online.co.uk/media-centre/latest-news/ticket-office-consultation/
Jon Cruddas MP raised his concerns about access and what this would mean for existing staff at Dagenham Dock and Rainham stations in his constituency. C2C has confirmed that "the proposals do not involve any compulsory staff redundancies."
Safety concerns were also raised as there were worries that a lack of staff at stations could lead to a rise in anti-social behaviour. C2C have confirmed that the busiest stations will have staff on duty from the first train of the day till the last. However, this still raises issues around stations that are not considered to be the busiest.
Jon Cruddas MP said: "I will be speaking with C2C management in the coming days to find out whether Rainham or Dagenham Dock will fall into the ?busiest station' category and whether they will have staff present throughout the day."
The biggest change to the opening times is over the weekend. At present Rainham is opened on both Saturday and Sunday, whilst Dagenham Dock ticket offices are open on Saturday's only. The proposals will mean that the ticket offices at both stations will be shut throughout the weekend.
Jon added: "the service isn't just used by commuters, many still travel to Southend or Leigh at the weekends. I worry that the closure of the ticket offices may limit travel for some residents that don't have smartphones or contactless payment methods. Whilst there are machines, it is my experience that they can often be out of service."
The consultation is open to the public and runs until Monday 14th October. You can respond by email at: consultations@londontravelwatch.org.uk or by post: London TravelWatch, Europoint, 5-11 Lavington Street, London SE1 0NZ
Full details can be found here: https://www.c2c-online.co.uk/media-centre/latest-news/ticket-office-consultation/
The revised ticket office opening times are as follows:
Monday ? Friday
- - Rainham current: 6:15am-10:00pm Rainham proposed: 6:15am-9:45am
- - Dagenham Dock current: 6:15am-1:40pm Dagenham Dock proposed: 6:10am-9:45am
Saturday
- - Rainham current: 6:45am-4:00pm Rainham proposed: CLOSED
- - Dagenham Dock current: 8:15am-3:40pm Dagenham Dock proposed: CLOSED
Sunday
- - Rainham current: 9:15am-4:40pm Rainham proposed: CLOSED
- - Dagenham Dock current: CLOSED Dagenham Dock proposed: CLOSED