Which train operators issue credit card sized tickets and which ones issue new style paper tickets?

[Mcv378]

It is, it’s called an e-ticket.

I know, I was hoping new printed tickets would be in this style and size

 

[Wolfie]

Does anyone know which train operators still issue credit card sized tickets (CCSTs) with a "magstripe" on the back, and which operators have switched to issuing the new style paper tickets with a barcode?

I would presume that where an operator has switched to issuing the new style paper tickets at its ticket offices, they either have to have a machine that can issue both styles of ticket or a separate machine that issues CCSTs because a ticket for a journey involving cross-London transfer by Underground still has to be issued as a CCST to operate the ticket gates at London Underground stations, or else operators that only issue new style paper tickets can't issue tickets for such journeys at their ticket offices.

AFAIK all operators' ticket vending machines (TVMs) still issue CCSTs, except that some operators now have machines that will issue paper tickets (often smaller than the normal new style ones) with a barcode for journeys not involving London Underground.

Also, all tickets issued on-train, where this option is still available, are, I think, issued as paper tickets.

East Midlands Railway still issues CCSTs at its ticket offices and most of its TVMs but does have some TVMs that issue small paper tickets as described above.

On the other hand Avanti West Coast and LNER now issue paper tickets at their ticket offices.

I would expect most operators in the South-East (Southeastern, GTR/Southern, SWR etc) to still issue CCSTs as they will probably have a much higher percentage of journeys involving London Underground.

London Overground still issue CCSTs.

 

[Bungle965]

London Overground still issue CCSTs.

Of course the difficulty there is then finding a Ticket Office which is open run by them!
TVMs not so much of a problem.

 

[xotGD]

I know, I was hoping new printed tickets would be in this style and size

Self-print, and you end up with a ticket that is A4 in size. Or A3 if your print settings default to this.

Or go overboard, and use the office A0 plotter!

 

[island]

I would expect most operators in the South-East (Southeastern, GTR/Southern, SWR etc) to still issue CCSTs as they will probably have a much higher percentage of journeys involving London Underground.

To my knowledge – and I am happy to be corrected:

• Southeastern are 100% CCST
• SWR are 100% CCST at their TVMs. At least some of their onboard sales are PRT, and their booking offices are mixed.
• GTR have TVMs that issue both CCST and PRT, including plain paper rather than the orange and green. Booking offices are primarily CCST.

 

[MrJeeves]

GTR have TVMs that issue both CCST and PRT

Where are the PRT machines?

 

[Bungle965]

Where are the PRT machines?

Gatwick for sure, although aren't they E-Tickets rather than PRT.

 

[MrJeeves]

Gatwick for sure, although aren't they E-Tickets rather than PRT.

Yeah, I think so. I think Gatwick is the only GTR station with those Worldline machines, but I haven't visited all of the stations to check!

 

[Bungle965]

Yeah, I think so. I think Gatwick is the only GTR station with those Worldline machines, but I haven't visited all of the stations to check!

Luton Airport DART, apparently? But I haven't seen to be sure.

 

[infobleep]

Yeah, I think so. I think Gatwick is the only GTR station with those Worldline machines, but I haven't visited all of the stations to check!

When I was buying some tickets at Gatwick Airport recently, they were issued on CCST. Thus was using the similar machines from memory. The tickets weren't to or via London either.

 

[Edvid]

Gatwick for sure, although aren't they E-Tickets rather than PRT.

Assuming you mean printed eTickets, I'm pretty sure they're the same thing; you couldn't use them at a barcode reader gateline otherwise.

Luton Airport DART, apparently?

Yes, at both ends. They (certainly at the Parkway end) also allow contactless Ticket on Departure collections for good measure.

 

[OscarH]

Assuming you mean printed eTickets, I'm pretty sure they're the same thing; you couldn't use them at a barcode reader gateline otherwise.

The barcodes are the same, but they are considered very distinct for reasons