Local Labour AM Jeff Cuthbert has condemned proposals by the UK Coalition Government to close large swaths of rail ticket offices across Wales – including those at Bargoed and Ystrad Mynach stations – in a cost-cutting exercise.
A report by Sir Roy McNulty into the state of the rail industry in Britain to the Conservative Transport Secretary, Philip Hammond, has called for the ticket offices at the two stations to be permanently closed replaced by automatic ticket machines.
Jeff Cuthbert AM said: “I am very concerned by the recommendations that have emerged in the McNulty Report on the rail industry.
“Many passengers use the ticket offices at Bargoed and Ystrad Mynach stations in my constituency and I am worried about any effects that potential closures could have. People often prefer to discuss their travel needs with an Official rather than rely on a ticket machine.
“I will be monitoring this situation carefully and working with my colleague Wayne David MP in making the strongest possible representations to the UK Coalition Government, telling them that we are deeply opposed to potential closures.
“In May I was re-elected on a platform of ‘standing up for Wales’ and we will be doing just that.”
