New Ticket Design Launched

[ModernRailways]

So just got my first ticket with the new style. How terrible can they be?

Why is the train I'm booked on in such a small font - my Mum couldn't even find it without her glasses.
Why is text overlapping?
What does 'suitable connecting services' mean? Does that mean I can take any train to Newcastle because it's a suitable connection?
Why does the ticket just generally look terrible? It looks more like a receipt with the actual collection receipt I got looking more like the ticket if it didn't say NOT VALID FOR TRAVEL on it.

 

[talldave]

It's interesting that the TVM obviously builds a bitmap in memory before printing the ticket as the overprinting comes with a clear background. As usual though, more untested rubbish from TOCS which reinforces their "don't give a toss " attitude. It's as easy to get it right as wrong but someone obviously doesn't care.

Why refer to services in the plural when it's only valid on one train. Basic stuff!!

 

[clagmonster]

Why refer to services in the plural when it's only valid on one train. Basic stuff!!

Normally I'd agree, but in this case suitable connecting services include LUL services from Kings Cross to Old Street and Moorgate.

 

[talldave]

Normally I'd agree, but in this case suitable connecting services include LUL services from Kings Cross to Old Street and Moorgate.

But it refers to "..the following Virgin Trains East Coast services.." and lists one - that's wrong.

It should say "Valid only on the following Virgin Trains East Coast service and suitable connecting services".

This is a basic programming issue that software developers have dealt with quite happily for decades, but it seems those working for train companies can't be arsed to get it right. Or, more likely, the specification for the software omitted the requirement because it was created by the sort of dumb idiot that seem to specialise in working for train companies (usually in Customer Service roles!).

 

[Dent]

Normally I'd agree, but in this case suitable connecting services include LUL services from Kings Cross to Old Street and Moorgate.

Is that true of an Advance with a reservation only as far as Kings Cross?

 

[OwlMan]

B

This is a basic programming issue that software developers have dealt with quite happily for decades, but it seems those working for train companies can't be arsed to get it right. Or, more likely, the specification for the software omitted the requirement because it was created by the sort of dumb idiot that seem to specialise in working for train companies (usually in Customer Service roles!).

The TOCs do not write the programs for Ticket issuing systems, they are written by the manufacturers to specifications specified by RSP see attchached

 

[Cletus]

Got some tickets through post today (from Southeastern) that were much clearer, presumably a better printer than in a TVM.

As well as the payment receipt, there was another ticket with my name and address on for some reason. Would make an usual calling card!

I think that's supposed to show through the window of the envelope. I got one like that ages ago.

Name and address showing through the envelope window was on the ticket wallet thingy.

 

[hassaanhc]

This London Midland Only Advance ticket was collected from the TVM at Isleworth a few weeks ago, the first ticket I've had in the new format (although it wasn't me travelling). Luckily there is nothing overprinted, but there is the odd missing character, words being split over two lines, and of course tiny font that is hard to read.

 

[DerekC]

This London Midland Only Advance ticket was collected from the TVM at Isleworth a few weeks ago, the first ticket I've had in the new format (although it wasn't me travelling). Luckily there is nothing overprinted, but there is the odd missing character, words being split over two lines, and of course tiny font that is hard to read.

And (on my ticket from Winchester to Derby this week) the whole thing printed off centre so that the dates couldn't be read. I did offer to show the train manager the receipt, but he just made a face and said that the new format was rubbish.

 

[najaB]

I did offer to show the train manager the receipt, but he just made a face and said that the new format was rubbish.

It's not the format, it's the printer. We've seen examples that are perfectly legible (even better than the old style) and others that are complete garbage.

 

[kkong]

Some can be quite clear. The font for parts is very small though.

Here is an example of a new ScotRail Advance ticket with no specific seat assignment, printed by an East Coast TVM.

 

[Paul Kelly]

In my opinion the mean reason it just "generally looks terrible" is the typeface: letters like g and y are fully above the line and don't descend properly, and all letters are the same width and so various words look the wrong "shape" as narrow letters like t, l and i take up more space than they normally should. So it's not so readable.

 

[cool110]

Yes, I've just got some old ones of mine out and they're much more readable due to being from a Northern Parkeon machine which has correct descenders and acceptable kerning. In fact it's the old style seat reservations that came with them that look terrible.

 

[kkong]

all letters are the same width and so various words look the wrong "shape" as narrow letters like t, l and i take up more space than they normally should.

That's not the case on the example which I just posted.

I agree that the lack of descenders doesn't help readability.

 

[Starmill]

That Aberdeen to Glasgow 1st Advance is new! They're not in the current NFM, though I see you're travellong after the next one is introduced.

 

[najaB]

That Aberdeen to Glasgow 1st Advance is new! They're not in the current NFM, though I see you're travellong after the next one is introduced.

Scotrail announced £5 standard / £10 First Advance tickets a while back.

 

[Starmill]

I recall, but hadn't noted any report of an example of the latter 'in the wild'.

 

[Paul Kelly]

That's not the case on the example which I just posted.

It is for the larger type at the top. You can see that there's lots of space either side of the 'l' in Glasgow and the letters line up exactly with those in Aberdeen above it.

True that the smaller text underneath doesn't have all the letters the same width - but there is something else weird going on with the spacing between the letters within words; it just doesn't look right at all.

 

[kkong]

Also noted the inconsistency in TOC name, i.e. "ScotRail" (correct) and "Scotrail" (incorrect).

 

[island]

Is that true of an Advance with a reservation only as far as Kings Cross?

Yes, the ticket destination is London Terminals, and Moorgate is a London Terminal.

 

[maniacmartin]

Yes, the ticket destination is London Terminals, and Moorgate is a London Terminal.

My interpretation is that this would be valid only if the Route field includes &Connections. but not if it was just a VTEC ONLY or GC ONLY etc ticket.

 

[island]

My interpretation is that this would be valid only if the Route field includes &Connections. but not if it was just a VTEC ONLY or GC ONLY etc ticket.

...which it does, as can be seen from the ticket being discussed, an image of which is in post #751

In fact, VTEC advance fares are almost all VTEC & CONNECTNS; only Reader Offer and a few promotional types are VT E COAST ONLY.

 

[clagmonster]

...which it does, as can be seen from the ticket being discussed, an image of which is in post #751

In fact, VTEC advance fares are almost all VTEC & CONNECTNS; only Reader Offer and a few promotional types are VT E COAST ONLY.

There are quite a few flows not involving London that don't feature & Connections, ie are VT E Coast Only or similar.

 

[blakey1152]

Got my first "New Style" ticket for a trip next month to Bradford.

In fact I had to take a double take at the tickets as I thought the Southeastern Machine that I had chosen to pick them up from had printed something else....

I would take a picture of my ticket but I've no idea how to upload it so I'll write what it says that I think is quite amusing

It says Valid only on the following Grand Central services
London Kings Cross -> Bradford Interchange
13-Apr-16 10:48 Unknown TOC

So it's gone from knowing that its a Grand Central train on one line to an unknown TOC on the next

I last went up to Bradford 3 years ago and I'm pleased that the Advanced 1st is still a bloody good price having only risen 3 quid since I last went

 

[Haywain]

I've just collected a new style Advance ticket for a Greater Anglia and connections journey. The train is apparently operated by Stansted Express - from Norwich to Liverpool Street! I can see that being confusing for some people.

 

[crehld]

The train is apparently operated by Stansted Express - from Norwich to Liverpool Street! I can see that being confusing for some people.

I'd say in the real world most people will just focus on the time, origin and destination and won't give two hoots about the company or brand of the train.

 

[Mojo]

It says Valid only on the following Grand Central services
London Kings Cross -> Bradford Interchange
13-Apr-16 10:48 Unknown TOC

Yes I've seen a few S&B machines print "Unknown Toc."

Have they corrected the spelling yet? I know mine came from a Parkeon and yours from a S&B, but I think it's the same data source. The last Advance ticket involving Bradford I collected had the station name printed as "Bardford Interchange."

 

[crosscity]

Yes I've seen a few S&B machines print "Unknown Toc'
Have they corrected the spelling yet? I know mine came from a Parkeon and yours from a S&B, but I think it's the same data source. The last Advance ticket involving Bradford I collected had the station name printed as "Bardford Interchange."

Looks as though 'Bardford' was the least of your worries! There is no suggestion of how to get from Leeds to there with this ticket. Confusing or what?

 

[najaB]

Looks as though 'Bardford' was the least of your worries! There is no suggestion of how to get from Leeds to there with this ticket. Confusing or what?

Well, it does say 'required connecting services'. You'd be in the same situation with old-style tickets as there wouldn't be a reservation coupon for the middle journey.

 

[bb21]

Looks as though 'Bardford' was the least of your worries! There is no suggestion of how to get from Leeds to there with this ticket. Confusing or what?

Via Baildon, apparently.