Thameslink code rather than etickets

[modernrail]

Why does Thameslink seem to issue codes rather than etickets?

It catches me out frequently when I buy a route involving Thameslink and seems a bit ridiculous when the system in general through London tried to encourage non-paper tickets.

 

[superalbs]

What is a code?

 

[CyrusWuff]

Why does Thameslink seem to issue codes rather than etickets?

It catches me out frequently when I buy a route involving Thameslink and seems a bit ridiculous when the system in general through London tried to encourage non-paper tickets.

Without specific journey details it's hard to say, but as a general rule journeys involving a cross-London transfer shouldn't be issued as e-tickets as London Underground gatelines aren't equipped with barcode scanners.

 

[Edvid]

What is a code?

The 8-digit collection reference issued for Ticket on Departure bookings.

 

[modernrail]

Without specific journey details it's hard to say, but as a general rule journeys involving a cross-London transfer shouldn't be issued as e-tickets as London Underground gatelines aren't equipped with barcode scanners.

It was Herne Hill to Stevenage. It doesn’t involve an underground transfer.

Is it because you could in theory travel via an underground route?

 

[Haywain]

Is it because you could in theory travel via an underground route?

Yes.

 

[modernrail]

Yes.

Seems a bit of a silly anomaly on the part of the National network that has largely gone paperless first but I guess there is no way around it if the TfL gate lines can’t accept an e-ticket?

Won’t bother buying via trainline anymore then.

 

[Haywain]

Won’t bother buying via trainline anymore then.

Who you buy through makes no difference.

 

[Edvid]

Seems a bit of a silly anomaly on the part of the National network that has largely gone paperless first but I guess there is no way around it if the TfL gate lines can’t accept an e-ticket?

There are plans in the offing to enable cross-London journeys with eTickets (see thread) but it is a long-term project that will involve redesign of the barcode system.

In the meantime GTR have enabled eTickets in RCS for certain flows only where direct cross-London Thameslink journeys are possible. Ergo HNH-SVG is not one of them.

Won’t bother buying via trainline anymore then.

Ironically Trainline don't comply with RCS and do what they please, so they'd have been your best bet for eTicket fulfilment!

 

[Hadders]

Won’t bother buying via trainline anymore then.

Trainline is best avoided. Despite their fancy advertising they are not cheaper. They add a booking fee to each transaction purchased in advance of the day of travel, unlike train company sites that are prohibited from doing this.

 

[Benjwri]

Ironically Trainline don't comply with RCS and do what they please, so they'd have been your best bet for eTicket fulfilment!

I’ve noticed they’ve recently pivoted to being more strict in a lot of circumstances some very random tickets, such as Reading to Henley (but only some ticket types), are being identified as paper only, despite being enabled in RCS.

 

[talldave]

I’ve noticed they’ve recently pivoted to being more strict in a lot of circumstances some very random tickets, such as Reading to Henley (but only some ticket types), are being identified as paper only, despite being enabled in RCS.

Isn't that incompetence rather than strictness?

 

[plugwash]

Why does Thameslink seem to issue codes rather than etickets?

It catches me out frequently when I buy a route involving Thameslink and seems a bit ridiculous when the system in general through London tried to encourage non-paper tickets.

The simple answer is that transport for London and the mainline railway took different approaches to modernising ticketing.

The mainline railway went mainly down the barcode route, (the latest iteration of which being e-tickets). Meanwhile transport for London rejected barcode tickets because of concerns about performance at gate lines. Instead TFL focussed on smartcards and pay as you go, first their own oyster card, and later contactless payment cards.

Many fares used on Thameslink are also valid for itinaries using the London underground. So the system can't issue them to e-ticket and falls back on doing things the old-fassioned way.