To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 23 February 2009, Official Report, column 496W, on railway stations: opening hours, what criteria the ticketing and settlement agreements with (a) South West Trains and (b) First Capital Connect contain in respect of the minimum hourly number of (i) visits and (ii) ticket purchases required for a ticket office to remain open. (262265)

The arrangements for through ticketing and rail retailing are specified in the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement (TSA). Each train operator’s passenger licence requires them to be a party to, and comply with the TSA. Franchise agreements also require operators to comply with the TSA. The TSA does not vary by train operator.

The criteria within the TSA for changing ticket office opening hours do not specify either a minimum number of visits or ticket purchases which must be made.