Up to 32 per cent of tube staff from stations in Ealing will be cut in January (2015) according to TfL plans.
Figures obtained by London Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon Dr Onkar Sahota suggest 588 frontline staff are set to be cut across the capital’s underground stations, with some stations losing up to 58 per cent of staff.
In Acton Town there is a planned reduction of 31.8 per cent of staff meaning six full time equivalent (FTE) members.
North Acton will lose 27 per cent or 2.1 FTE, East Acton loses 27 per cent or 1.7 FTE, Ealing Common 21 per cent or 1.2 FTE, both West Acton and Hanger Lane 13 per cent or 0.7 FTE, and TfL plans to cut 10 per cent or 0.5 FTE of staff from Ealing Broadway.
The staff cuts will come as part of the planned closure of all the capital’s tube station ticket offices.
Mr Sahota said: “It beggars belief that, with tube fares due to rise by 2.5 per cent in January, Boris Johnson has the nerve to cut front line staffing levels by an average of 16 per cent across London.
“Ealing will lose 32 per cent of staff from Acton Town for example, leaving passengers forced to pay more money for less staff support.
“It seems in this case Boris Johnson is happy with tube passengers getting less for more.
“The issue isn’t necessarily whether staff are based in ticket offices or on the station concourse, but whether staffing levels can provide all customers – especially the disabled and elderly – with a good service.”
The London Assembly Member added: “I am calling on TfL to address this issue and to await the outcome of TravelWatch’s consultation survey before finalising plans.”
Phil Hufton, London Underground’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “It is nonsense to suggest our plans to modernise staffing at stations will not benefit passengers. Under our proposals there will be more staff visible and available to help passengers and keep them safe as they will be brought out from behind glass windows and back offices to work where people need them - within ticket halls, on concourses and platforms.
“Every station will remain staffed at all times whilst the service is running and there will be even more visible staff available to help customers including those with disabilities and new Visitor Information Centres at the busiest Tube stations.”
“We have been consulting with trade unions and staff over our plans since November last year and have completed a ‘station by station’ review, published on tfl.gov.uk.
“We expect the detail of these numbers to change as we consult locally with staff at each station and develop rosters over the coming months.”
