Changes to ScotRail Ticket Office Hours

That the Parliament understands that Abellio ScotRail is consulting on changes to ticket office opening hours, which would lead to a reduction in opening hours at 117 of its 143 staffed ticket offices, including the full closure of three ticket offices; considers that these reductions in hours would worsen passenger safety, security and accessibility and deter passengers from the rail network, including in the Central Scotland region; expresses concern at reports that changes to Schedule 17 regulated hours may lead to reductions in staffing in the future; notes passenger research by Transport Focus, which reportedly found that passengers want to see more, not less, staff on the railway; believes that the public consultation is being carried out at a time when passenger numbers are constrained due to the Scottish Government’s work from home guidance, and understands that the consultation is being carried out by Abellio, who will no longer be operating the franchise as of 1 April 2022 when it transfers into Scottish Government ownership; further understands that the Scottish Government is already fully funding the franchise under the ongoing Emergency Measures Agreement, and notes the calls for the Scottish Government to intervene and withdraw the proposals to reduce ScotRail ticket office opening hours.