Date: 25/09/2012

Transport ministers have been accused of paving the way for the closure of hundreds of railway ticket offices. The row was triggered by Norman Baker as he promoted the virtues of smart-ticketing, which would see passengers being charged the lowest possible fare for their journey. Mr Baker, the local transport minister, said rail operators were knocking on his door asking for permission to shut down ticket offices. Earlier this month Mr Baker accepted a request from London Midland to shut down four ticket offices, while rejecting closure plans for a further five. “There were some where keeping the ticket offices were indefensible,” he said.”On Southern only one third of passengers are buying their tickets at stations.” He believes the development of a new smart ticketing system, similar to London’s Oyster system, will protect passengers’ interests. [From Mark Bartlett]

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Smartcard to pave way for ticketless trains

Telegraph

Transport ministers have been accused of paving the way for the closure of hundreds of railway ticket offices.

Related images

The last ever ticket to be purchased at Penton station - 3 January 1969. [Editor's note: No prizes for guessing who bought the ticket! Penton was a staffed station due to the absence of a footbridge, one requirement being to see passengers safely across the lines between the main station building and the down platform. With Penton signal box closed, signalman 'Wink' Henry was on relief duty on that final day and it was he who locked up the booking office for the last time - following which I understand BMcC gave him (and his bike) a lift back to Newcastleton.]
Location: Tickets and labels
Company: British Rail
03/01/1969 Bruce McCartney

It was not unknown for ticket machines to run out of years, as here, but I know this was issued on 31 August 1985.  ScotRail took the opportunity during a steam special to Ayr to run it's own specials, a DMU to Ardrossan Harbour direct, ie via Byrehill and Dubbs Junctions.  £1 return was reasonable even then.
Location: Tickets and labels
Company: British Rail
31/08/1985 David Panton

My somewhat unusual return ticket for Springburn to Cumbernauld in 1987.
Location: Tickets and labels
Company: City of Glasgow Union Railway
//1987 Ewan Crawford