Great Western Coffee Shop

A ticket machine was installed at Oldfield Park station a few months ago. For several weeks now, it has had a sign saying that it can only take cards, so no cash payments.

I've tried using it many times, and on about half I've failed to get a ticket. After trying repeatedly yesterday, with the machine taking me through the whole process until saying I needed to press Buy Ticket, and just getting no response at all from this, I was told by train staff that the machine doesn't work in wet weather!

Earlier this autumn, there were different problems with the low sun blinding the screen and making it impossible to read anything on it, despite any amount of attempting to shade the screen.

Are all these common problems with these machines or is it just this one? (obviously the last problem is one of aspect, but it should have been given some thought before installation).

Yes.

Aspect is interesting - if in the open, consideration needs to be given to the way it faces and possible compromises reached.   The Melksham machine is sited to be visible earlier in the day ...

The ticket machine outside at Didcot often gives up with a whiff of dampness in the air, even though it is sheltered.

For one reason or another Oldfield Park and ticket machines just haven’t really got on, theft and vandalism being the main issues a few years ago.

For many years now, ticket machines at railway stations have been installed and restricted to accept card payments only.

At Nailsea & Backwell station, we had two machines which were smashed open to obtain the cash they contained.  At Montpelier station, some years ago, the newly installed ticket machine was smashed open even before it had gone live.  ::)