Huntly ticket office cuts ‘make no sense’ as ScotRail urged to reverse decision
ScotRail has been urged to reconsider plans to introduce cuts to ticket office opening times across stations in the north east, including Huntly.
The rail operator will reduce the ticket opening times in Huntly by almost 20 hours per week.
It is just one of 101 staffed stations which are seeing their opening hours cut across the country.
The move is expected to be enforced in early 2025 after the completion of the company’s 12-week internal staff consultation on the proposals.
A spokesperson for ScotRail said: “The independent passenger watchdog Transport Focus carried out an extensive consultation on these proposals, which received feedback from thousands of people across Scotland.
“We have listened to our customers and updated our proposals based on that feedback.
“These changes will provide a service that is better suited for today and the ticket-buying habits of our customers, as well as create an environment that improves safety and customer support."
ScotRail say that while ticket office opening times will change at the stations, staffing hours will remain the same.
Staff will also remain on site to sell tickets on the platform and to provide assistance with ticket vending machines.
However, Aberdeenshire West MSP Alexander Burnett said the cuts will come at a cost to passenger safety.
He said: “If ScotRail proceeds with these cuts, they will worsen passenger service and safety at Huntly and Stonehaven, especially in the context of reducing timetables.
"This decision isn't based on passenger satisfaction, accessibility or equity of service, but by ticket sales alone.
"It makes no sense to then turn around and cut access to future tickets.
"This is the thin end of the wedge for rural rail in particular."
North east MSP Liam Kerr added that the move “amounts to a state-backed erosion of services”.
He said: “The SNP government have to agree to these changes because ScotRail is in public ownership.
"The buck stops with them, so I’m calling on ministers to send this plan back.
"Rail performance was supposed to get better, not worse.
"I campaigned for years to get an upgrade to Montrose.
"People in Angus should get in touch with their local elected SNP members to express their dismay at what amounts to state-backed erosion of services."
