RAIL unions pledged to fight cuts to ticket office hours at most ScotRail stations today, warning that the plans will create a “muggers’ paradise” across the network.

The Abellio-run company, already being fully funded by the Scottish government ahead of its return to public control in April, wants to reduce kiosk opening hours at 120 of its 140 stations.

Clydebank, Cartsdyke in Greenock and Woodhill will also lose their ticket offices entirely, with a ScotRail spokesperson arguing that maintaining infrequently used services is “not the best use of people.”

TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said the railways will consequently feel “less safe, particularly for women — especially in the darker months.”

RMT slammed the “short-sighted” move, stressing it would make the network less accessible and worsen passenger service, safety and security at a time when rail travel is vital to cutting carbon emissions.   

General secretary Mick Lynch called on SNP ministers to step in, accusing them of following Westminster by “presiding over a damaging cuts agenda rather than seeing the rail network as central to Scotland’s economic recovery.

“RMT will be campaigning publicly and politically in the coming weeks to oppose these short-sighted attacks,” he added.