Toilets and change machines

[Bletchleyite]

At Sheffield, I feel it is acceptable for the concourse toilets to be charged for. Rail passengers can use the free toilets on the platforms.

I don't mind a charge but I do mind a lack of card payment or working change machine.

 

[Belperpete]

Provision of card payment would require significant investment, not just in new gates but also in fixed wiring, as I doubt that the toilets currently have the necessary telecom connections. To be honest, I think you are lucky to have toilets on Sheffield concourse in the first place. Apart from the London terminii, most stations with barriers only have toilets on the platforms. If there are free toilets on the platforms for staff and bona-fide passengers to use, I don't see why there needs to be any toilets on the concourse in the first place. A lot simpler and cheaper to just close them than to provide card payment.

 

[duffield]

Addressing the original post, specifically "given that retailers and the ticket office are unlikely to respond positively to requests for change."
Retailers, possibly but I can't imagine the ticket office refusing to provide change for the toilet if the change machine is broken - is there any evidence that this is true?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Provision of card payment would require significant investment, not just in new gates but also in fixed wiring, as I doubt that the toilets currently have the necessary telecom connections. To be honest, I think you are lucky to have toilets on Sheffield concourse in the first place. Apart from the London terminii, most stations with barriers only have toilets on the platforms. If there are free toilets on the platforms for staff and bona-fide passengers to use, I don't see why there needs to be any toilets on the concourse in the first place. A lot simpler and cheaper to just close them than to provide card payment.

That would also be an option, presuming it came with signage stating that there were toilets on the platform, a fact of which not everyone is aware.

 

[PeterC]

I suspect it isn't worth it for the bother of 20-30p, particularly if the change machine was not working. I agree with the apparent Network Rail policy (up to them going free) that if the change machine is broken they are free. I'd mind less if they accepted overpayment, but they mostly won't take more than a 20p coin so you can't put a quid in and pay for you and the next two.

Liverpool Street accepts overpayment which is credited to the next user. It can be fun watching people carefully put in the full 30p when there is a 10p or even 20p credit displayed.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Liverpool Street accepts overpayment which is credited to the next user. It can be fun watching people carefully put in the full 30p when there is a 10p or even 20p credit displayed.

Only up to 40p. It won’t take a quid.