Our campaign continues, and our team has increased in size. We have been joined by more Spelthorne Councillors and officers, Surrey County Councillors as well as support-ers, meeting regularly at MP Kwasi Kwart-eng’s office to discuss rail news, develop-ments in the industry and the strategy to progress.
There have been some changes to rail transport this year. An exorbitant increase in the amount charged as a penalty for those without the ticket required to enter our stations, and Revenue Protection Officers out in force to enforce the fine. A proposal to close station ticket offices to be replaced with platform staff on hand to assist those who need help to buy tickets, and ticket vending machines. The general public were able to air their views via two independent passenger groups which were tasked to scrutinise the scheme and the responses. Their research found too many shortcomings and there was an overwhelming response of opposi-tion. The scheme has been shelved for now, as has another plan to introduce contactless payments for fares this month – now delayed until the spring. This week rail fare ‘simplifications’ were announced, which have been criticised by many as ‘increases by stealth’.
The importance and necessity of achieving our goal has therefore amplified, as being able to use Oyster card and/or TfL pay-as-you-go at our stations, as we do on our buses, would avoid all the above.
We are strongly supported by Shepperton Studios, where their huge expansion has had a big impact on the residents around the site. The already prestigious studios have the second largest number of stages in the World and has put Shepperton firm-ly on the map. This has also created thousands of new jobs. In their efforts to adopt the most sustainable and affordable transport option, a TfL zonal extension into Staines and Shepperton stations would be the inducement to encourage more of their work-force to leave their cars at home, travel to our stations by rail and catch the shuttle buses to the venue. We are working together to achieve success.
Thank you for your support and to Monica Jones for her kindness by continuing to promote our Campaign in the Village Matters magazines.
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Spelthorne in the Zone – Oyster for Spelthorne