London Underground is to close almost half of the most lightly-used ticket offices at Tube stations following a decline in the number of traditional tickets being purchased.
The fall follows the success of the Londonwide Oyster card which now accounts for over 60 per cent of all Tube trips.
Transport for London sought to reassure passengers and staff today vowing that “there will be no job losses” as a result of the changes.
Richard Parry, LU director of strategy and service development, said: “The success of Oyster has led to a huge reduction in the number of customers buying tickets at our stations.”
“This has meant that we have already been able to shift station staff from behind the plate glass windows in ticket offices to the platforms and in ticket halls.
“By increasing the visibility of staff they will make the stations a safer place and will be able to fully assist customers.”
The changes will come into effect from March 2008.
