Should Northern change there automated announcements?

[joke2711]

Have travelled a lot recently out of Liverpool on Northern Electrics and the automated message is ambiguous to say the least ..

It says "In line with the NRCOC if you have boarded at a station where ticket facilities are available, then we can only sell you a full price ticket. You should purchase your ticket before travel"

That to me gives the wrong impression, that you can get on any train, anywhere, and have the right to purchase a full price ticket.

No wonder there is confusion and how many people are getting caught out?

Thoughts ...

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Have travelled a lot recently out of Liverpool on Northern Electrics and the automated message is ambiguous to say the least ..

It says "In line with the NRCOC if you have boarded at a station where ticket facilities are available, then we can only sell you a full price ticket. You should purchase your ticket before travel"

That to me gives the wrong impression, that you can get on any train, anywhere, and have the right to purchase a full price ticket.

No wonder there is confusion and how many people are getting caught out?

Thoughts ...

I wouldn't go as far as to say it implies you have a right to buy, but it does imply that it is always available and that there is no penalty beyond that fare, and that is somewhat at odds with their 'failure to pay' scheme.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

That 319 ticketing announcement is given after EVERY stop.
The security announcement is also long-winded ("If anything concerns you...").
And as for "This is X. If you are leaving us at X..." (also at every stop).
X can be Wavertree Technology Park or Newton le Willows...
A pleasure to get back on a 156 where the guard just gives the minimum necessary, as does the Merseyrail automated announcements.
It can be done.

 

[IanXC]

A pleasure to get back on a 156 where the guard just gives the minimum necessary, as does the Merseyrail automated announcements.
It can be done.

At the risk of going off topic, there is at least one 156 with the same auto announcements as a 319 has...

 

[Blindtraveler]

All the units with full DDA mods feature the system which I rather like but can be a bit long winded I guess

 

[Bletchleyite]

I do think it's about time Northern stopped, in all its forms, suggesting that boarding at a station with a ticket office or TVM without a ticket is in any way acceptable. The ambiguity is costing people money. That said, I was perhaps asking too much for Arriva Northern to include a completely new senior management team who might at least consider this is an issue.

Therefore:-

1. This announcement should change to say that you are liable to prosecution which is likely to lead to a criminal record or penalty of at least £80 (that being the Penalty Fake level), but if you are lucky enough (use that wording) to be sold a ticket it will be the full Anytime fare. And discipline guards who are found to make exceptions - it is *not* helpful that they do, as it furthers the confusion.

2. Each time such a fare is sold, a small leaflet should be given to the passenger with the ticket inside showing that this is the case. Yes I know many will go on the floor, but it is necessary to make it clear.

Then nobody can complain when they are prosecuted.

I don't see why it is hard - unless the issue is that Northern fear a strike from Guards who would see reduced commission income. But if that is more important to Northern, which it may well be, then they need to pack in the prosecution/Penalty Fakes for simple ticketless travel, and keep it only for genuine fraud e.g. forgery and deliberate re-use.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

All the units with full DDA mods feature the system which I rather like but can be a bit long winded I guess

I don't mind the automation, I do mind the repetition of long, pointless announcements.
Once a journey, or at major stations, no problem.
But 13 times between Liverpool and Manchester?

Just to digress, two amusing incidents in Manchester yesterday:
- at Victoria, boarding a Metrolink tram to Piccadilly: "Does this train go to Wolverhampton" (gentleman hailing from the north east).
- at Piccadilly, on ATW train to Tenby, guard announces: "This train is not the Cleethorpes train, which is the one in front". Cue mass exodus.
You'd think the Welsh writing on the outside and inside would have offered a clue!