Paddington to Reading via...

[island]

The new large screen ticket vending machines at Paddington present a problem. Whilst they offer tickets from other stations, including boundary zone locations, they present the full description of the route under each ticket type. So from Boundary Zone whatever to Reading or Reading West, say, you can choose off peak day return “valid only on trains ...” for £16.60 or “valid only on trains ...” for £19.20. Only by touching the small “i” button next to the ticket type is the full route name revealed.

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

The new large screen ticket vending machines at Paddington present a problem. Whilst they offer tickets from other stations, including boundary zone locations, they present the full description of the route under each ticket type. So from Boundary Zone whatever to Reading or Reading West, say, you can choose off peak day return “valid only on trains ...” for £16.60 or “valid only on trains ...” for £19.20. Only by touching the small “i” button next to the ticket type is the full route name revealed.

So they're not valid at all when, like over the past few days, no trains run at all and there is a replacement bus service

 

[PeterC]

Sounds reasonable, if they displayed the full info automatically then alternative routes might be "below the fold" and they would be accused of cheating customers by "hiding" alternative fares.

 

[island]

Or they could be just like the old machines and say VIA SLOUGH and VIA ASCOT rather than the extended wibble.

 

[Wallsendmag]

Tribute has an override to revert to the previous description but our TVMs don't

 

[kieron]

Or they could be just like the old machines and say VIA SLOUGH and VIA ASCOT rather than the extended wibble.

Better not, or you'll have someone asking a member of staff if "RDG STRD INC LDN" means you have to go through Stroud or through Strood. Or even Llandanwg.

Something a bit more like the ATB descriptions (but probably in mixed case) would be good, though. And maybe also something involving scrolling route names, for when you can't keep everything important on screen.

 

[cactustwirly]

So they're not valid at all when, like over the past few days, no trains run at all and there is a replacement bus service

The cheaper one can only be used via Staines...
Not true there was ticket acceptance via Staines when Paddington was closed this week

 

[furlong]

The cheaper one can only be used via Staines...
Not true there was ticket acceptance via Staines when Paddington was closed this week

And not true in general any more - some fares are now higher via Ascot than via Slough!

 

[furlong]

And to the point, the additional material 'via' terms, revealed only after the contract is formed, may well be rendered unenforceable.