Commuters using Bushey station could find it harder to buy a ticket following a proposal to cut the ticket office opening hours
It is part of a wider plan from Transport for London (TfL) and Arriva London to improve the way stations are managed and staffed.
The new proposal comes after a row over rail zones and ticket prices. More than 6,000 people signed a petition calling for Bushey station, Watford Junction, Watford High Street and Watford MET stations to be moved into Zone 6 in a bid to lower ticket prices.
Currently, commuters in Bushey pay a £1,000 a year premium on fares into central London compared to workers living in Epping in Essex, who travel a similar distance but pay less.
The petition was presented to London Mayor, Sadiq Khan who threw out the idea in a letter, saying there were “no plans to review the zoning of individual stations”.
Watford Borough Councillor Ian Stotesbury, who represents Callowland, is fed up.
He said: “By not even commenting on the unfair treatment of Bushey and Watford commuters and the decision earlier this year to pull the plug on the Metropolitan Line Extension, we’re all being let down.
“We may not be London voters but a large number of local residents travel into London, so we make a huge contribution to the London economy.
Jon Fox, TfL’s director of rail and sponsored services, told BUSHEYNEWS: “The way customers pay for travel has changed rapidly as they embrace new technology, creating an opportunity to improve the way stations are managed and how staff serve customers. “
The Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor said: “It is so important that people can actually speak with real station staff, face-to-face. They can provide vital help with ticket enquiries and greater safety at our stations.
“This is a very short consultation, just three weeks long. Residents should have had longer to examine the plans and give responses to London Travelwatch. I urge them to reconsider this decision.”
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