Train bosses were said to be furious after the government scrapped a plan to axe rail ticket offices across the UK, saying it did not meet passenger standards.
Proposals, initially backed by the Department for Transport, aimed to save money by reducing the number of ticket offices but ran into a storm of criticism from unions, disability groups and passenger watchdogs.
Train operators had argued that only 12% of tickets were purchased at station kiosks but concerns were raised about ticket machine capability, accessibility and the future of passenger assistance and information.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak supported the closures but MPs cautioned that they were moving "too far, too fast".
In response to these concerns, Transport Secretary Mark Harper announced that the plans did not meet the government's high passenger service standards.
Reversing the closures was met with mixed reactions, with critics calling it a "humiliating climbdown" while the RMT union hailed it as a victory.
The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), representing train companies, defended the ticket office closures, emphasising the changing needs of passengers in the smartphone era and the financial challenges post-pandemic.
Disability campaigners also welcomed the reversal of the closures but said they were disappointed their concerns had been disregarded for so long.
Train company bosses and rail unions have been locked in months of strikes over pay, jobs and working conditions in the industry.