‘There’s nothing like face to face’: Darlington reacts to ticket office closures

Pauline Skerrett from Newton Aycliffe has a basic phone and doesn’t use a credit card. ‘The people in the ticket office are always lovely, really helpful.’ Photograph: Richard Saker/The Guardian

“I’ve worked in computers all my life but I find these machines really difficult to use,” said 73-year-old Adrian Bennett, explaining why he will always buy a train ticket from a human being if he can.

“I just can’t be bothered with them and if there is someone I can actually speak to then I will. I think you pay more money if you use a machine. It is a lot of hassle, a lot of aggravation and they should definitely keep the ticket offices.”