Future of Ticket Office Consultations launched

[NorthernSpirit]

That assumes that you’re able to get a new ticket wallet to replace the one that is giving up the ghost. With ticket office closed by falling masonry, none available. My blue wallet lost its 3rd pocket months ago - the two that remain have the slots facing the same way.

I suppose you could ask at different staffed stations and try and build up a number of wallets so if the inevetible happens, you've at least got a good few spares.

---

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is if a ticket office is permemently closes and there are toilets on the station, what happens do the toilets go as well or would it mean a contracted cleaner has to do a weekly check at x amount of stations because they have toilets?

 

[Krokodil]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is if a ticket office is permemently closes and there are toilets on the station, what happens do the toilets go as well or would it mean a contracted cleaner has to do a weekly check at x amount of stations because they have toilets?

There aren't many stations where toilets are left open outside staffing hours. Too much vandalism.

 

[mason200]

A interesting article today. The rail minister is trying to keep his own ticket office open.

‘Every station needs a Maggie’: Rail minister faces revolt over closure of local ticket office

Residents who use Etchingham Station in East Sussex are calling on Huw Merriman MP to step in and save it - and its ticketing hero

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[Silenos]

That's not what I said and I'm not sure what I said gave you the idea that it's my "default assumption"?

Because what you said was:

I'm sure for every story of poor service there is doubtlessly a story of good service.

That clearly implies that the good interactions are more or less equal to the bad ones,

I take note that despite this statement you do not, in fact, subscribe to that view, thank you for clarifying. I agree there are clearly cases where ticket office staff are not as familiar as they should be with the Byzantine intricacies of the ticketing system, and many others in which staff fail to be professional in their dealings with the public (though anyone with a public-facing role will know this is very much a two-way street). However, if, as some assure us, this is not merely a scheme to cut costs by making those staff redundant, then redeploying them to platforms and gatelines will not, as I said above, improve either their knowledge or their attitude

 

[yorksrob]

Four ticket windows open at Leeds today and still a queue. Someone's obviously still using it.

 

[tomuk]

Four ticket windows open at Leeds today and still a queue. Someone's obviously still using it.

Well 94% of people don't use it according to Northern's data.

 

[Krokodil]

Well 94% of people don't use it according to Northern's data.

And the other million do.

 

[Killingworth]

And the other million do.

We can go round in circles with this. If it wasn't there tomorrow the percentage using it would be 0%.

By necessity that million, or 6%, would either have to find alternative methods or not travel. Many resourceful users would adapt very quickly because they had to. The point at issue is dealing with possibly only about 2% at most who cant or wont adapt and would rather not travel at all if assistance with ticket buying wasn't avalable.

Which bring sus to the fundanental flaw in the 'consultation.

1 Insufficient,/negligible detail of what is being proposed for each station.

2. 18 months is too short a timescale to make all the necessary changes both with personnel and infrastructure at stations.

3 Add to that the shock to very many travellers who've always used ticket offices and will have to adapt.

But changes will have to come and the vast majority will adapt. It needs more attention to details

 

[Scott1]

Well 94% of people don't use it according to Northern's data.

Not quite. 94% have bought tickets another way. The stats pay not attention to people who need help with their etickets, times, Passenger Assist booking and so on. I wonder if the figure includes excess fares and reservations?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I suppose those who planned this would have already made financial loss allowance in their calculations to cater for those rail passengers who would experience the difficulties that have already been stated in previous postings on this thread.

 

[Class 170101]

Do they really want to destaff stations completely? If they do that they would have to do something about the ticket gates at many stations, which are manned.

They would have to go surely due to Health and Safety? Unstaffed gates aren't allowed as far as I know

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

They would have to go surely due to Health and Safety? Unstaffed gates aren't allowed as far as I know

A good point. Has that particular matter been addressed in any official discussions separate from this consultation?

 

[greyman42]

Four ticket windows open at Leeds today and still a queue. Someone's obviously still using it.

Usually the same story at York.

 

[Krokodil]

I suppose those who planned this would have already made financial loss allowance in their calculations to cater for those rail passengers who would experience the difficulties that have already been stated in previous postings on this thread.

This is the same government that has spent more money fighting the unions than it would have cost to pay up.

 

[Topological]

As noted ad infinitum, all that is needed is an ability for anyone to issue tickets booked through the national database. Whether that is as simple as going to a counter where someone accesses the internet on behalf of a customer, or whether more time efficient means can be found, the solution is still the same. No dedicated ticket offices are needed.

Life becomes more complex in rural locations since there are not necessarily any other local businesses to perform the ticket function. However, for those locations I think selling on the train becomes the best option.

 

[greyman42]

Life becomes more complex in rural locations since there are not necessarily any other local businesses to perform the ticket function. However, for those locations I think selling on the train becomes the best option.

Not the best option for DOO.

 

[Tester]

Not the best option for DOO.

Japan says hi

 

[greyman42]

Japan says hi

What does that mean?

 

[yorksrob]

Japan says hi

Konichiwa !

 

[greyman42]

Konichiwa !

Still have not got a clue??

 

[Topological]

Not the best option for DOO.

Of course that is something for train companies to get their heads around. Maybe ticket sellers on trains as a different grade to guards such that all elements of despatch remain DOO?

Technological solutions are difficult because the whole point is that we are talking about people without the ability to use machines and/or purchase online ahead of travel.

 

[greyman42]

Of course that is something for train companies to get their heads around. Maybe ticket sellers on trains as a different grade to guards such that all elements of despatch remain DOO?

I wonder what the RMT will have to say to that!

 

[Topological]

I wonder what the RMT will have to say to that!

Job creation... will not go down well

I could be mischievous and suggest that we have strikes now anyway so might as well add a few more reasons. Especially as I suspect the public would actually be happy with the opportunity to buy a ticket on the train once the ticket office closes.

 

[yorksrob]

Still have not got a clue??

Neither have I, but I believe that's Japanese for "Hi"

 

[greyman42]

Job creation... will not go down well

I could be mischievous and suggest that we have strikes now anyway so might as well add a few more reasons. Especially as I suspect the public would actually be happy with the opportunity to buy a ticket on the train once the ticket office closes.

I suppose now would be a good time to do it. I was thinking about it being introduced in the future when the the pay dispute has been settled as it would give the RMT an excuse to call more strikes.

 

[Tester]

Neither have I, but I believe that's Japanese for "Hi"

It is indeed!

Slightly tongue in cheek (horses for courses and all that) but on many rural Japanese lines the driver is the only staff member on board and duly deals with fare collection.

Fascinating to watch how it is done - Wikipedia has more in its One-Person Operation article.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

This is the same government that has spent more money fighting the unions than it would have cost to pay up.

It is always the same since Man became part of civilisation where one side would fight for its beliefs rather than submit. Ukraine's struggle against Russia is a good example of this.

 

[Tester]

What does that mean?

Sorry I saw and replied to #yorksrob's post before I saw this one - see my reply to him!

 

[Rail Ranger]

A significant issue is that those with paper senior railcards who do not have Internet access will not be able to renew them if ticket offices close so will have to pay full fare.

 

[Topological]

A significant issue is that those with paper senior railcards who do not have Internet access will not be able to renew them if ticket offices close so will have to pay full fare.

In a joined up world the bus pass would work as a senior railcard. I do appreciate it would cost the railway the railcard fee, but that is a relatively small drop in the ocean versus the cost of maintaining ticket offices everywhere.

IF absolutely necessary a ticket to accompany the bus pass could be issued by the on train sellers.

The more I think about it the more a member of staff who sells tickets on the train makes sense. Without having to keep stopping sales to go and do the doors the whole operation would be more efficient.