Weird ticket checks on platform by Great Northern staff

[jammmmmsssssss]

I'm sure there's something that they could do in the hour between collecting their tickets and travelling.

Or you could do something else before collecting your tickets, and come to collect them around 15 mins before

 

[duffield]

Like what? Sounds like you've never been to Grimsby Town to me.

There's a Spoons about 30 seconds from the station entrance.

 

[Starmill]

There's a Spoons about 30 seconds from the station entrance.

Precisely!

 

[saismee]

Or you could do something else before collecting your tickets, and come to collect them around 15 mins before

Or I could collect the tickets first and do something worry-free, knowing that I won't have to deal with a queue or potentially sit (or stand) at the train station for 10 minutes!

 

[Leogilbert007]

I just collect my ToD ASAP after booking, regardless of the time before the journey— in fact, I just collected some tickets for a journey in July! — and store them safely in my wallet. Admittedly easier than for most since I take the train everyday and live in London, but that way it mitigates risk and stress on what might be a stressful and unpredictable long-distance journey. I’ve never had any problems with this approach: I pass by a TVM, remember I have tickets to collect, and do so, and that way I can simply walk to the station and get on with my journey on the day

 

[saismee]

I just collect my ToD ASAP after booking, regardless of the time before the journey— in fact, I just collected some tickets for a journey in July! — and store them safely in my wallet. Admittedly easier than for most since I take the train everyday and live in London, but that way it mitigates risk and stress on what might be a stressful and unpredictable long-distance journey. I’ve never had any problems with this approach: I pass by a TVM, remember I have tickets to collect, and do so, and that way I can simply walk to the station and get on with my journey on the day

I live within 10 minutes of a TVM but I always find it preferable to visit a station with a ticket office to collect them (even though I still use the TVM). It's just so much more stress-free to do it this way as I don't have to risk missing a ticket, and I don't have to then visit a ticket office later on.

I have witnessed a lady attempt to print four ToD tickets and miss her train because the ticket machine only printed the return portion. She had to go to the ticket office, she was gone for a solid 30 minutes (there goes 2 trains!!) and she was very late for the appointment she had. On advance tickets, that's a hassle I don't want to risk.

 

[yorkie]

I live within 10 minutes of a TVM but I always find it preferable to visit a station with a ticket office to collect them (even though I still use the TVM). It's just so much more stress-free to do it this way as I don't have to risk missing a ticket, and I don't have to then visit a ticket office later on.

My understanding is that ticket offices are only meant to print tickets if there is a problem with the machine. Retailers are charged an additional fee when customers do this.

I have witnessed a lady attempt to print four ToD tickets and miss her train because the ticket machine only printed the return portion. She had to go to the ticket office, she was gone for a solid 30 minutes (there goes 2 trains!!) and she was very late for the appointment she had. On advance tickets, that's a hassle I don't want to risk.

Presumably e-tickets aren't available on these flows, as they eliminate the hassle.

The TVM being faulty is a red herring now because so few take cash and because so few people use them so the rolls can't run out !!!

I'm in the industry and I actively DETER people from collecting earlier. I usually say the process is called "TOD Ticket On Departure" meaning you collect on departure.

So after years of experience if they get-
washed
lost
forgotten where you put them
pussycat or fido eat them-
you've done your money.

But also the serious one- if they're not collected it's way easier to get a refund.

This is all very true, and many of these have happened to me or other people (apart from them being eaten by pets!) However, fortunately TOD is being phased out and replaced with e-tickets, so this will all go away in due course.

 

[saismee]

My understanding is that ticket offices are only meant to print tickets if there is a problem with the machine. Retailers are charged an additional fee when customers do this.

That's the reason I visit a station with one. I don't go to the ticket office immediately, but I'm happier knowing its there if there is an issue. I've seen far too many people have issues with the ticket machines and I'd rather not chance it. I tend to use E-ticket or smart card tickets wherever possible because of this.

Also, paper tickets just never seem to work with the barriers for one of the only destinations I use them... maybe because it's super off-peak on a weekend, but I'm not sure.

This is all very true, and many of these have happened to me or other people (apart from them being eaten by pets!) However, fortunately TOD is being phased out and replaced with e-tickets, so this will all go away in due course.

Even cross-London transfers?

 

[yorkie]

That's the reason I visit a station with one. I don't go to the ticket office immediately, but I'm happier knowing its there if there is an issue. I've seen far too many people have issues with the ticket machines and I'd rather not chance it. I tend to use E-ticket or smart card tickets wherever possible because of this.

Ah, sorry, I misunderstood. That all makes total sense

Also, paper tickets just never seem to work with the barriers for one of the only destinations I use them... maybe because it's super off-peak on a weekend, but I'm not sure.

Some barriers do seem to always reject super off peak. The programming may be different for paper tickets vs e-tickets. There is more data available for e-tickets, so it's easier to get it right (doesn't mean it will be perfect as that is impossible, but if they get the right supplier in, then they can get a very high accuracy rate)

Even cross-London transfers?

Eventually, yes, but not in the immediate future.

About a year ago I heard that the first phase had been agreed for e-ticket readers to be installed at major cross-London transfer locations, however it's all gone quiet since then.

 

[185143]

There's a Spoons about 30 seconds from the station entrance.

Beat me to it!

 

[saismee]

Some barriers do seem to always reject super off peak. The programming may be different for paper tickets vs e-tickets. There is more data available for e-tickets, so it's easier to get it right (doesn't mean it will be perfect as that is impossible, but if they get the right supplier in, then they can get a very high accuracy rate)

Super off-peak will always just be a pain then I guess.

Eventually, yes, but not in the immediate future.

About a year ago I heard that the first phase had been agreed for e-ticket readers to be installed at major cross-London transfer locations, however it's all gone quiet since then.

Still going to be my only use for ToD then... might start using contactless though as E-tickets are so much harder to lose!

 

[Flange Squeal]

My understanding is that ticket offices are only meant to print tickets if there is a problem with the machine. Retailers are charged an additional fee when customers do this.

If a customer asks the ticket office clerk to do so, should they be told “No, I’m not meant to do that” to save the retailer money and be directed to the machine, or ticket office clerk just do it to provide good customer service?

 

[Aaron1]

Interesting that some posters said I should get to Grimsby Station (or any station an hour early! It was a few years ago now so can't exactly remember what I time I got to the station but when collecting tickets on departure i always aim to be there 30 mins before departure which I believe is ample time for collecting tickets. The plan usually being if I manage to collect the tickets quickly then I go to Weatherspoons just outside for a quick pint. In this instance I remember I chose to remain on the platform so I don't cross his path again unnecessarily.


I don't believe I need to arrive at any station an hour early! In my experience 30 mins if collecting tickets, and 3-5 mins if already got tickets is sufficient (that 3-5 mins may be extended of course if travelling from a large or complex station

 

[irp]

Interesting that some posters said I should get to Grimsby Station (or any station an hour early! It was a few years ago now so can't exactly remember what I time I got to the station but when collecting tickets on departure i always aim to be there 30 mins before departure which I believe is ample time for collecting tickets. The plan usually being if I manage to collect the tickets quickly then I go to Weatherspoons just outside for a quick pint. In this instance I remember I chose to remain on the platform so I don't cross his path again unnecessarily.


I don't believe I need to arrive at any station an hour early! In my experience 30 mins if collecting tickets, and 3-5 mins if already got tickets is sufficient (that 3-5 mins may be extended of course if travelling from a large or complex station

I must confess there are a couple of stations I don't mind getting to that early. Euston for the Euston Tap (quite happy to spend more than an hour there!), Paddington for the Brunel's excellent train shed [and a pint or two in the Bear and Bishop, or the Beer House on the concourse), but in general I agree, many local stations I use in the West Midlands are just two platforms, with maybe shelter. The idea of pacing up and down the platform for an hour....Err just no [even if that has happened to me due to mistiming]

 

[Deepgreen]

All this points to some 'inspectors' needing to learn better human skills. It is a hard job, fraught with risk, but at least some of that risk can be deflected by good people skills. In this specific case, where an official/unofficial public route across the railway exists at an ungated station, it is important to be aware of that when challenging people. It also points to the mess that is UK rail ticketing, with it seemingly proving impossible to simplify and strengthen the system to make life easier for honest passengers and harder for the rest.

 

[Sleepy]

I just collect my ToD ASAP after booking, regardless of the time before the journey— in fact, I just collected some tickets for a journey in July! — and store them safely in my wallet. Admittedly easier than for most since I take the train everyday and live in London, but that way it mitigates risk and stress on what might be a stressful and unpredictable long-distance journey. I’ve never had any problems with this approach: I pass by a TVM, remember I have tickets to collect, and do so, and that way I can simply walk to the station and get on with my journey on the day

Yep me too - I collected some for August last week.