What Are the Alternatives When Station Ticket Offices Close?

I'd imagine there would be a number available to call that should have support at the times needed.

A bit like parking ticket machines, they often have an emergency number on or electric car chargers.

They're unfortunately forcing people to use a phone app and if you don't, you won't be able to use the service. Sounds like something from 2-3 years ago if you didn't comply...

Now imagine when or if cash is extinct completely. From Sunak himself...

"Safe and secure"

Cash and coins already are, and bank transfers, too.

"New ways to pay in the future"

Business owners preferably would prefer cash so as to avoid fees and no electricity/servers are needed.

"Energy efficient and available to everyone"

Except if electricity goes down then it's available to no one.

"As a complement to cash"

Oh right, it's "optional" until they decide it's not and then give people a deadline to transfer their money.

If i went to the station and the machine was down I’d just take a picture and then get on the train. Usually in this situation they waive the fee.

What happens if you're blind? Or otherwise disabled and need assistance at the station? It's a disgusting policy.

What happens in winter when the platforms are covered in ice and snow? Who is going to clear them?

Who is there to make sure kids aren't messing about near the rails?

What about lone traveller safety early in the morning or late at night? Who's going to watch them to make sure they're not being assaulted?

Not much of an incentive to use public transport instead of your car

I don't use trains much due to their ridiculous pricing but a few years ago when there were some decent offers for going to London on the train something like £15 return from Yeovil you just ordered online and then got the ticket issued from a ticket machine. Seemed painless but I guess if it hadn't worked I would have had someone to talk to at the ticket office.