heenan73
Member
You are quite right, but see it from the TOC point of view; the machine would cost £20,000+, installation another £5000, annual maintenance contract another £5000, plus vandalism insurance another £2500. If it breaks down in a big way (or gets stolen), then there's zero income while they argue with the insurance company, then order a replacement, probably from Germany, for delivery in 4 months time.
Total annual income, say, £567.28
OK the figures are entirely guesswork - but you get the picture, I'm sure.
TOCs depend on the chap/chapess on the train; they mostly do their best (do they still get 10%?) but with crowded trains, and often stations close together - and other duties, not to mention the odd passenger who takes 15 mins to buy a two-stop single, it's all a bit of a gamble.
But as I said before, the TOC saw the accounts when they bid for the franchise; they factor in the loss, and the taxpayer picks up the tab. Any extra fares gained is a bonus for the shareholders.
Total annual income, say, £567.28
OK the figures are entirely guesswork - but you get the picture, I'm sure.
TOCs depend on the chap/chapess on the train; they mostly do their best (do they still get 10%?) but with crowded trains, and often stations close together - and other duties, not to mention the odd passenger who takes 15 mins to buy a two-stop single, it's all a bit of a gamble.
But as I said before, the TOC saw the accounts when they bid for the franchise; they factor in the loss, and the taxpayer picks up the tab. Any extra fares gained is a bonus for the shareholders.