London Mayor Boris Johnson is abandoning his pre-election pledge and will be closing every Tube ticket office by 2015, as well as cutting 953 station jobs, removing supervisors from many stations, and cutting frontline staff while creating more managers.
Islington Green Party council candidate Charlie Kiss asked: “When did Londoners get the opportunity to give their opinions on this?
“London Underground needs personnel in clearly identified locations to advise and assist. Who is going to assist disabled, elderly and sick passengers?”
Payment by bank card may also be replacing the Oyster card, giving Londoners no choice on how to pay and, to organise refunds, having to deal with the bank as opposed to TfL. Ticket offices may be turned into shops or collecting depots for internet shopping.
Charlie said: “Surely passengers would much prefer assistance and quick and reliable advice on local facilities and transport routes. Also, were the Underground to ever suffer of another major incident, who will organise and supervise immediate evacuations?”