Passenger fears for Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield stations

A proposal to withdraw staff from ticket offices in Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City stations could cause problems, passengers have warned.

Train operator Govia has announced a plan to withdraw staff at the ticket offices in off-peak hours, redeploying them to platforms and other parts of the station.

The company says the move, subject to a consultation, will be good for passengers,who will be able to use ticket machines or get tickets from staff members’ hand-held devices.

But the newly-formed Hatfield Association of Rail Travellers Rail passengers is cautious, while welcoming the move in principle.

A spokeswoman said: “The intention is good, but the details will be crucial.

“How many ticket machines will be available? Will they be able to cope with more complex requirements?

“Will the staffing numbers be adequate to give a good service?

“It will also be important that local needs are taken into account such as Hatfield students wanting to buy tickets on Friday evenings and football fans when travelling to Arsenal home matches.”

The group, which has just launched a website at http://hatfieldrail.com, wants to get in touch with commuters and other rail users to discuss issues such as the plan to involve Transport for London in the running of suburban railways.

People can contact with it by emailing hatfieldrail@gmail.com