Plans to close most rail ticket offices are confirmed

The vast majority of England's rail ticket offices could be closed after rail bosses announced a public consultation on their future.

According to South Western Railway, which operates in Honiton, the move forms part of a 'modernisation' process as a consequence of the small proportion of tickets which are purchased at ticket offices.

In Honiton, South Western Railway has said it will have 'one member of staff available to support retail choices and other customer needs' and there will be ticket vending machines. 

The railway companies will hold a public consultation on the proposals.

Honiton Train Station is likely to lose its ticket office (Nub News)

According to South Western Railway, only 12% of tickets are currently sold at station kiosks on average, compared with 85% in 1995, with passengers now buying more tickets online or at machines.

It argues that its changes will enable staff to come out from behind the glass of station offices and be free to help more passengers. 

South Western Railway is proposing creating more 'multi-skilled' staff. 

A statement on the South Western Railway website said: "We propose to close all ticket offices and provide more face-to-face support to customers. 

"We will ensure that all currently staffed stations will remain staffed. And we propose to provide temporary mitigations until all ticket types can be bought digitally."

You can take part in the consultation here.