ScotRail is proposing to dramatically reduce the opening hours of ticket offices at a stations in Dumbarton and the Vale. 

The news comes as the rail operator announced it would be launching a review tomorrow of all customer-facing services. 

Proposed plans would see ticket office opening hours reduced at around 120 stations across the country including Dumbarton Central, Cardross, Alexandria, and Balloch. 

Ticket offices at Clydebank, Cartsdyke, and Woodhall could close under the proposals. 

These stations will remain open with all other facilities being available including ticket vending machines, help points where customers can speak to staff, and 24-hour CCTV. 

No member of staff will lose their jobs and will be redeployed to provide "enhanced" customer service, ScotRail confirmed. 

Rail bosses said that before the pandemic customers were "increasingly" using online options or ticket vending machines rather than ticket offices and that there has been a 50 percent drop in the use of offices over the past 10 years. 

Transport Focus, the independent watchdog for transport users, will conduct a public consultation on behalf of ScotRail seeking the views of customers about the proposed changes. 

This will be the first time since 1991 that ScotRail has reviewed the opening hours of its ticket offices. 

Phil Campbell, head of customer operations, said: “There has been no real review of our ticket office opening hours for 30 years, and it is important we keep up with the changing habits of customers who no longer rely on purchasing tickets in that way.

“With more than a 50 per cent drop in the use of ticket offices, heightened by the pandemic, we want to do everything we can to make sure everyone has a hassle-free journey.

“Nobody in ScotRail will lose their jobs as a result of these changes, and it is important to note that rather being about cutting jobs, this is about adding value for our staff and customers.

“Over the coming weeks we’ll be talking to customers, staff, and stakeholders about the improvements they can expect to see and experience as they travel around Scotland’s Railway.”

Proposed opening hours: 

  • Cardross

Current - 0725-1415 Mon-Sat, closed Sun

Proposed - 0715-0945 Mon-Thu, 0715-1015 Fri, closed Sat & Sun

  • Dumbarton Central

Current - 0600-0000 Mon-Sat, 0810-2310 Sun

Proposed - 0650-2000 Mon-Fri, 0840-2000 Sat, 0900-1600 Sun

  • Alexandria 

Current - 0630-2330 Mon-Sat, closed Sun

Proposed - 0645-0945 Mon-Fri, 0915-1445 Sat, closed Sun

  • Balloch

Current - 0555-2355 Mon-Sat, 0810-2245 Sun

Proposed - 0600-1240 Mon-Thu, 0600-1900 Fri, 0700-1900 Sat, 0900-1630 Sun

Customers can review the proposed changes on ScotRail's website.