A RAIL operator has revised plans to slash its ticket office opening hours after pressure from commuters and passenger groups. First Capital Connect (FCC) had planned to cut booking office hours at a number of stations across

A RAIL operator has revised plans to slash its ticket office opening hours after pressure from commuters and passenger groups.

First Capital Connect (FCC) had planned to cut booking office hours at a number of stations across Times Territory including WGC, Welwyn North, Knebworth and Cuffley.

But following a consultation period involving Passenger Focus and London TravelWatch, the company has trimmed the number of hours it wanted to cut from each station.

And in a bizarre twist the ticket booth at Watton-at-Stone station will actually open for an extra 10 minutes each day from Monday through Friday.

Keith Jipps, head of station services at FCC, said: "The consultation has been vital in ensuring we achieved the right balance of facilities, services and opening hours at our stations to meet customer's needs.

"We have thoroughly looked at each station and are confident we have achieved the right solution for everyone."

A company spokesman added: "FCC will continue to monitor all ticket sales and work to ensure opening hours and ticket buying options match demand."

Sharon Grant, the chairman of London TravelWatch, said: "We received an unprecedented number of objections from local users, and it was clear to us that ticket offices and staffed stations are extremely important to passengers.

"No station now will completely lose ticket offices or staffing, and we managed to restore permanently over 30 per cent of the hours proposed for reduction."

She added: "We will be monitoring closely to ensure that passengers are still able to buy the ticket they want at the best price possible and that proper information is still available to all who need it.