A RAIL union have hit back at moves to close three ticket offices and slash opening hours across the network. 

The Glasgow Times reported yesterday that three ticket offices across the west of Scotland would close with a further 120 having their opening hours cut.

In and around Glasgow, around 50 stations will see their opening hours slashed. The union has warned plans will create a "muggers paradise".

The RMT has pledged to fight the closure plans and has raised concerns regarding passenger safety as well as job security for employees.

READ MORE: ScotRail proposing to close ticket offices at three stations

However, ScotRail said that no jobs would be lost and there would be a job for "everyone who wants one" and insist that customer safety will not be impacted by changes. The rail operator says that there has been a 50 per cent drop in the number of people using offices over the last decade with more people turning to online or machines to purchase their tickets.They are "wholly opposed" to cuts to ticket offices and claim they will make rail travel less accessible for elderly and disabled people.

General secretary Mick Lynch has called for intervention from the Scottish Government and has raised questions about why planned cuts have been permitted to go ahead. He said: “Cuts to ticket office hours will do nothing to restore passenger confidence in Scotland’s sustainable rail network which has a central role to play in delivering modal shift away from high carbon transport.

READ MORE: Glasgow low level rail route to close for major improvement works

"These proposals affect nearly all of the ticket offices in Scotland and will undoubtedly worsen passenger service and accessibility as well as turning many of our stations into a mugger’s paradise.   

“Failed operator Abellio has just weeks to go before it exits its role in Scotland’s railway. It has already proposed significant reductions in service levels and RMT questions why the Scottish Government is permitting it to propose more cuts that will harm Scotland’s railway.

"The Scottish Government should step in and urgently retract these proposals. 

“RMT is firmly opposed to ticket office closures and cuts and will be campaigning publicly and politically in the coming weeks to oppose these short-sighted attacks on Scotland’s railway.”  

Scottish Labour transport spokesperson, Neil Bibby MSP, said the changes would leave passengers with a  "second rate service". He said: “Once again ScotRail passengers in Glasgow and the West are being left with a second-rate service.  

“Routes are being slashed, fares are being hiked and now ticket desks are being shut.

“Whatever ScotRail might say, these cuts will hit passengers, threaten jobs and undermine station safety. And stations in the West will be disproportionately hit hard if these changes go ahead.

Glasgow Times: Neil Bibby

“We won’t get people back on trains by cutting rail services to the bone. 

“It is now a matter of months until ScotRail comes into public hands – and the SNP-Green government are laying the groundwork by nodding through one round of cuts after another. 

“We cannot miss this opportunity to build a truly world-class rail service which puts passengers first and helps tackle the climate emergency.”

A spokesperson for Transport Scotland said: “ScotRail’s three-week public consultation will provide passengers with the opportunity to have their say on the proposals regarding ticket office opening hours.

"The aim of this review is to make changes that will ensure the modernisation of Scotland’s stations and offer passengers a more efficient and cost-effective service for the future. We would encourage passengers to get involved and we look forward to hearing Transport Focus’ findings in the coming weeks.”