So, I had some RTVs and decided to put them on my Oyster. As I'd already capped today I thought I'd try and see whether I could get them added at an Underground station. First stop was London Bridge ...
Ticket office was closed. Went to man on gateline and asked when the office was supposed to be closed. He was extremely apologetic, explained that they were short of staff, asked what I needed to do in case he could do it, he couldn't but he checked whether Bank (also shut) and Waterloo ticket offices were open. I really can't fault this guy, he was brilliant.
Next stop Waterloo. Went to the Jubilee ticket hall and asked if they could add the vouchers. Instantly told that I couldn't, RTVs could only be dealt with at a National Rail ticket office. I pressed him and asked if he was sure and he assured me he was. OK, not very bad service - he wasn't rude or anything, but he wasn't going to be convinced that he might be wrong.
Then I noticed that the W&C was still running and as I'd never been on it before I decided to fill in that gap on the Underground coverage. Knew Bank was shut so wandered down to Monument and then to Blackfriars. Also shut, but it was supposed to be by then. Up to the FCC platforms and on to St Pancras (I figured Farringdon was unlikely to be open if Blackfriars wasn't).
I was heading to the Underground when I noticed the screens in the FCC ticket office saying "Buy your Oyster products here". As I was running out of time I decided to try there rather than risk another refusal at KXSP. The ticket office was empty and had one window open. The assistant beckoned me over and she said no problem, she could do it. I asked what I should fill in on the vouchers and she said she'd do it. A few seconds later it was done.
As I turned away I witnessed something quite amazing. Another customer had started waiting and as I walked away he went up to the window. The assistant asked him to wait as she had to finish dealing with the previous customer (ie filling in my vouchers). He rapidly became animated, said he was a customer too and how dare she make him wait, demanded a complaint form then stormed off swearing when she wouldn't give him her full name. I was incensed and as he walked out the door I called out that I thought he was being extremely unreasonable. Thankfully he didn't respond and just carried on walking. Both me and the next customer then went up to the window and expressed our concern at the way she'd been treated. I was quite stunned by the incident, but I have to say that she handled it very professionally, not losing her cool or anything. In that moment I realised just what a difficult job being a ticket clerk can be.
Ticket office was closed. Went to man on gateline and asked when the office was supposed to be closed. He was extremely apologetic, explained that they were short of staff, asked what I needed to do in case he could do it, he couldn't but he checked whether Bank (also shut) and Waterloo ticket offices were open. I really can't fault this guy, he was brilliant.
Next stop Waterloo. Went to the Jubilee ticket hall and asked if they could add the vouchers. Instantly told that I couldn't, RTVs could only be dealt with at a National Rail ticket office. I pressed him and asked if he was sure and he assured me he was. OK, not very bad service - he wasn't rude or anything, but he wasn't going to be convinced that he might be wrong.
Then I noticed that the W&C was still running and as I'd never been on it before I decided to fill in that gap on the Underground coverage. Knew Bank was shut so wandered down to Monument and then to Blackfriars. Also shut, but it was supposed to be by then. Up to the FCC platforms and on to St Pancras (I figured Farringdon was unlikely to be open if Blackfriars wasn't).
I was heading to the Underground when I noticed the screens in the FCC ticket office saying "Buy your Oyster products here". As I was running out of time I decided to try there rather than risk another refusal at KXSP. The ticket office was empty and had one window open. The assistant beckoned me over and she said no problem, she could do it. I asked what I should fill in on the vouchers and she said she'd do it. A few seconds later it was done.
As I turned away I witnessed something quite amazing. Another customer had started waiting and as I walked away he went up to the window. The assistant asked him to wait as she had to finish dealing with the previous customer (ie filling in my vouchers). He rapidly became animated, said he was a customer too and how dare she make him wait, demanded a complaint form then stormed off swearing when she wouldn't give him her full name. I was incensed and as he walked out the door I called out that I thought he was being extremely unreasonable. Thankfully he didn't respond and just carried on walking. Both me and the next customer then went up to the window and expressed our concern at the way she'd been treated. I was quite stunned by the incident, but I have to say that she handled it very professionally, not losing her cool or anything. In that moment I realised just what a difficult job being a ticket clerk can be.