So the DfT, and therefore us, will lose out.
Well just replace both systems with one and then only one needs updating.Yes, I did think it funny that nobody at the paper seemed aware of the stations being manned from start to finish already, thus printing the Govia statement as great news.
I eagerly await the forthcoming software update for the ticket machines to do everything the current ticket office systems can do. Especially given there are two different systems that need updating, each with their own user interfaces and support structures...
So do the DfT care?GTR is a management contract franchise, with the DfT taking revenue risk.
So do the DfT care?
Arlesey and Biggleswade are not affected at the moment, although I fully expect their hours to be reduced to peak only at some point in the franchise. (I have no evidence of this, it's just a hunch based on how things are going, so don't kill me if I'm wrong!)Have I missed something or has Arlesey been missed from the GN stations affected?
Well just replace both systems with one and then only one needs updating.
GTR is a management contract franchise, with the DfT taking revenue risk.
Could be, but I doubt it. However, without knowing how the franchise is structured there is no way of knowing.Maybe the DfT is actually behind this?
I agree that the impact on ticketless travel is likely to be small, and what this may be is a means of extending staffed hours for ticket sales.I wouldn't have thought there would be much impact on ticketless travel, because those who want to buy a ticket would buy a ticket at the machine and won't make any difference to those who currently walk past both a ticket office and machine. Obviously a lot of the time the ticket office is closed anyway.
How is someone walking around the station going to issue photocards and gold cards?
How is someone walking around the station going to issue photocards and gold cards?
Polaroid camera and some sticky tape and cardboard.
Maybe the DfT is actually behind this?
Maybe they should make the last train run at 1340. Problem solved.Just past the Three Bridges ticket office again, and it is due to close at 1340 again.
And why isn't Govia doing something more sensible like investing in revenue staff to keep gatelines in operation until the last train of the day? Manned stations are one thing, but the revenue checks (at stations) still end hours before trains stop.
Well if you use Tapatalk, this forum already looks different. Even has a like option which can only be seen by Tapatalk users.Two different manufacturers though. How long have I been saying that all TOCs should have a standard user interface? YEARS! I have always compared to Sky, who had multiple hardware vendors but each had to run the same Sky EPG software.
I guess it's like different PC vendors supporting Windows. In this case, the different TVMs may use Windows but each manufacturer offers its own software.
I've said how silly it is because not everyone is that into tech, and you learn one machine and then one day that's down so you use another and it looks totally different. Qwerty keyboard or Abcd? Options on the left, right, all on one screen with +/- boxes or a separate screen? Can you add more tickets to a basket or do you need to select, pay, collect, wait, select, pay, collect..?
Imagine if this forum ran vBulletin for some forums and phpBB for others. One forum, two different layouts, different shortcuts, logins, profiles...
I could go on... but I won't for now. But this is why I have somewhat little faith that if these changes happened this year, there's any chance of Govia being ready.
I suppose I could ask the obvious question. If London Midland already implemented such changes, do THEY have the necessary software upgrades in place and terminals for staff to do the ticket office stuff when standing on the concourse, gateline or platform?
Well the posters have gone up with details for individual stations on.. Unfortunately still full of the incredibly misleading wording that this will result in stations that are already 24/7 being staffed for longer (how you get longer than 24/7 I really don't know!)
The latest I have heard is that sadly the machines we are likely to receive are of the S&B type. I'm hoping this is incorrect though as they're worse for both passengers and staff.
RMT said:Mass rail ticket office closure plan across the South finally kicks off today in total chaos.
RAIL UNION RMT said today that the public consultation over plans to axe and downgrade 81 rail station ticket offices across the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise appears to have finally kicked off today in total and utter chaos as the union steps up the fight over the threat to services, jobs and safety.
RMT is aware that posters have gone up in stations party to the consultation, with questions already being asked about the accuracy of Govia Thameslink’s information on what the local impact will be as the process rolls on , and with the consultation period being hacked back to the bare-bones 21 days in what the union says is a mad dash to bulldoze through the bodged and rushed proposals. RMT says that it has never seen such flawed and twisted approach to a Section 17 consultation as the drive for cuts and profits slices through any serious attempt to gauge public opinion.
RMT made it clear today that the union campaign will be stepped up as Govia Thameslink blunder on with their shambolic consultation. A postcard and social media campaign is ready to roll urging the public to engage in the%
I see the posters confirm that Hatfield will have no ticket offices open on Saturday or Sunday.
I now travel in most Saturdays to Essex Road, and see the queues which are awful, even if Arsenal ISN'T playing at home. Mostly people just wanting to go in to London for a day out (and why not given super off peak tickets are good value).
I use the machine outside, but those that don't can easily miss a train. You can argue they should go earlier, but does anyone expect to queue for 5-10 minutes or more to get a ticket?
Imagine when you ONLY have the TVMs and a member of staff you'll have to track down with a handheld machine.
UPDATE: Latest from the RMT
https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/mass-rail-ticket-office-closure-plan-across-the-south/
RMT said:Mass rail ticket office closure plan across the South finally kicks off today in total chaos.
RAIL UNION RMT said today that the public consultation over plans to axe and downgrade 81 rail station ticket offices across the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise appears to have finally kicked off today in total and utter chaos as the union steps up the fight over the threat to services, jobs and safety.
RMT is aware that posters have gone up in stations party to the consultation, with questions already being asked about the accuracy of Govia Thameslink’s information on what the local impact will be as the process rolls on , and with the consultation period being hacked back to the bare-bones 21 days in what the union says is a mad dash to bulldoze through the bodged and rushed proposals. RMT says that it has never seen such flawed and twisted approach to a Section 17 consultation as the drive for cuts and profits slices through any serious attempt to gauge public opinion.
RMT made it clear today that the union campaign will be stepped up as Govia Thameslink blunder on with their shambolic consultation. A postcard and social media campaign is ready to roll urging the public to engage in the%