Ticket Machines - machines missing or broken, and penalty fare implications (merged topics)

[whole diary]

[Btline]

They don't work in cold weather, as they rely on your hands to be warm.

[amiddl]

The shelter at Theale wasn't much help too. Interesting that cold weather causes problems.

The Ticket office seemed to suggest that this weather interference was a regular occurrence.

[readytostart]

ALso in sunshine the glare can prevent you from reading the display.

[amiddl]

LOL^▸ ('laughing out loud') - OK to buy a ticket providing its not cold, or raining or the sun is shining.

[moonrakerz]

They don't work in cold weather, as they rely on your hands to be warm.

I've been told a lighted cigarette works quite well !   

[inspector_blakey]

LOL^▸ ('laughing out loud') - OK to buy a ticket providing its not cold, or raining or the sun is shining.

And also assuming some friendly native hasn't kicked the screen in! Or melted the pin-pad with a cigarette lighter, filled the coin slot up with gum, etc etc!

[Chris from Nailsea]

... and even if you do turn up at a TVM^▸ (Ticket Vending Machine), on the one or two days a year when it isn't cold, or sunny, and it hasn't rained recently, and the local youth haven't attempted various unauthorised modifications to the machine - you still can't buy a Group Save! 

[JayMac]

... and even if you do turn up at a TVM^▸ (Ticket Vending Machine), on the one or two days a year when it isn't cold, or sunny, and it hasn't rained recently, and the local youth haven't attempted various unauthorised modifications to the machine - you still can't buy a Group Save! 

Or a split-ticket, or a destination PlusBus, or a Rover/Ranger, or a ...... come on forum, I'm sure there's more.....

[DevonTrains2008]

Try the ticket machine at Whimple!

[eightf48544]

I think not be able to buy group save tickets from a TVM^▸ (Ticket Vending Machine) is a con.

I beleive the machines are German in origin you can certainly buy group tickets in all their macihnes. We even bought both a Saxony and Brandeburg Lander Group ticket (up to 5 people not ICE or IC^▸ (Inter City)/EC)  in a machine in Dresden (Saxony). Makes fare from Dresden to Berlin E12 each instead of E35. Admittedly you have to cahnge and it takes an hour longer but when you're on holiday what's that matter.

It would be like buying a Devon and Cornwall Rover at Taplow.

[Btline]

IMO^▸ ('in my opinion'), TVM^▸ (Ticket Vending Machine) should ONLY be put in where there is a ticket office, as a way for regular passengers to quickly buy a simple ticket.

They should not be relied on at an unstaffed station. Unfamiliar and elderly passengers either CAN't use them or can't use them PROPERly.

e.g. They CON railcard holders into paying the ^12 minimum fare for their ticket, when the actually ticket costs less.

e.g. Don't offer Group Save (should say, go to the ticket office to get half price, etc)

etc.

[Chris from Nailsea]

I beleive the machines are German in origin you can certainly buy group tickets in all their macihnes.

The two TVMs^▸ (Ticket Vending Machine) at Nailsea & Backwell are by Scheidt & Bachmann - similar to those used in Germany, as has been confirmed elsewhere on this forum.

[devon_metro]

e.g. They CON railcard holders into paying the ^12 minimum fare for their ticket, when the actually ticket costs less.


etc.

No they don't, it's the persons responsibility to research their options and read the relevant terms and conditions. Just as much as it is my responsibilty to check I'm given the correct change in a shop. Same principle really.

[inspector_blakey]

For once, I actually HAVE some sympathy WITh Btline on this ONE. 

When you're buying a ticket at a ticket office, you can ask for and get an explanation of the time restrictions that apply to it. Buy one from a TVM^▸ (Ticket Vending Machine) and it may say "See Restrictions" or "As Advertised" in the Validity section. Where are those restrictions advertised? They sure as hell aren't on the TVM. If I go into Tesco to buy something, I expect to have all the information I need to make my purchase available at the point of sale. I shouldn't have to spend half an hour on the web before I set foot in the store researching the different options - that information should be available to me at the point of sale. With a TVM it isn't.

There's a wider argument here, because it's partly a function of the rather byzantine fares system that so much information is required anyway. TVMs are certainly useful for low-value, local journeys where there often isn't the same anytime/off-peak/super-off-peak range of options but for longer journeys they're a bit of a minefield for the customer. You and I, d_m, both know far more than the average man in the street about rail fares so it's relatively easy for us. However, I really don't think that 80-year-old Aunt Gladys can reasonably be expected to tip up at her local station and navigate her way through all the options on a Scheidt and Bachmann TVM to procure the ticket she needs, or face a penalty fare.

If it's not possible to make the information passengers need to make an informed choice about what ticket to buy clearly and concisely at the point of sale (ie. the ticket vending machine) then I don't regard them as an acceptable substitute for a booking office.

[paul7575]

e.g. They CON railcard holders into paying the ^12 minimum fare for their ticket, when the actually ticket costs less.

Are you saying that you can select your ticket, then add a YP Railcard, and the price goes up?  I'm sure you must have reported this fault when it happened?

Paul