Gavin Williamson MP for South Staffordshire took the opportunity during Questions to the Department for Transport to call on the Rt. Hon. Justine Greening MP, Secretary of State for Transport to allow pubs to be able to sell railway tickets in addition to Post Offices who may be given permission to sell railway tickets.
The Government is currently carrying out a review of rail fares and ticketing. Its goal is to allow more passengers to travel and to have a better experience of rail at the same time as reducing rail industry costs.
Speaking in the House of Commons Chamber Gavin Williamson MP asked:
“The ticket office at Codsall station was closed a number of years ago and has been replaced by the fantastic Codsall station pub. My right hon. Friend has talked about allowing post offices the opportunity to sell tickets, but will she look at letting the Codsall station pub sell tickets?”
Responding positively the Secretary of State replied:
“That sounds like a good idea that my hon. Friend’s local community might like to take forward. I encourage him to look through the document, which contains a section on how we want to see stations improve more generally.”
Commenting afterwards Gavin Williamson MP said:
‘The Station Pub in Codsall was once the ticket office and it would be great if they could also sell tickets for those who use the station. It could be a great way of attracting business and supporting our pubs that are of such great value to our community. The station pub is a wonderful pub with great beers and fantastic food and it would be very helpful to commuters and to the pub if they were able to sell tickets. It would also be a way to get more customers through the door. I can easily imagine customers asking for a ticket and a pint.’
The government’s rail fares and ticketing review consultation is open until 28th June 2012. If you would like to take part in the consultation you can find further information online at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-2012-09/