Fewer staff at stations in move to cut costs

Staff who currently work at Mexborough bus station will be redeployed, the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) said, while two part-time staff at Woodhouse railway station will lose their jobs.

The changes will take effect from April 1 and bosses said they had made the decision to withdraw staff “regretfully”.

David Young SYPTE’s director of customer experience said Mexborough bus station had seen a substantial fall in ticket sales and customers requesting information over the last few years.

He added that while there was a need to find budget savings SYPTE could not justify retaining a staffed presence in the town.

Passengers are advised to buy Travelmaster tickets or get timetrable information and travel passes at either Rotherham Interchange or Doncaster Frenchgate.

SYPTE said the decision brings Mexborough into line with other Interchange facilities at Crystal Peaks, Manor Top, Wath and Grimethorpe, and follows staffing reductions made at park and ride sites last summer.

Staffing levels at Woodhouse railway station will be reduced to cover peak times only on Mondays to Saturday, also from April 1.

Use of the facility at Woodhouse Station during the affected hours is relatively low with few customers requesting information.

The site will be staffed are 7am to 10am and 3pm to 6pm, however the waiting room facilities will remain open between 7am and 6pm.

Mr Young added: “There is pressure on all of us to find the best use of resources and so reducing or removing the staff cover at stations which are used infrequently is a sensible, if regrettable, measure.

“We will ensure that customers at both stations are informed well in advance of the change.”