First TVM's are card only?

[Failed Unit]

I have noticed in recent trips that many TVM's are turning into card only because of vandlism, I have noticed example on the First franchises of Scotrail, Great Western and Capital connect (although don't know if it was a fault with it).

Is this first policy to stop low-lives stealling the look. On Great Western how do you avoid the penalty fare if you only have cash?

Are other operators turning TVM's into card only? Not that I would trust a TVM with notes myself anyway....

 

[First class]

I have noticed in recent trips that many TVM's are turning into card only because of vandlism, I have noticed example on the First franchises of Scotrail, Great Western and Capital connect (although don't know if it was a fault with it).

Is this first policy to stop low-lives stealling the look. On Great Western how do you avoid the penalty fare if you only have cash?

Are other operators turning TVM's into card only? Not that I would trust a TVM with notes myself anyway....

If there is absolutely no other way to buy a ticket, (and the TVM will only accept cards), then you may purchase the full range of tickets on-board, if available. However, at an interchange point or your destination, you should buy a ticket for your whole journey.

Little tip though, take a picture of the TVM screen saying 'cards only'... just in case you run into a bit of trouble in your journey...

 

[CarterUSM]

ScotRail have amended their 'buy before you board' policy to reflect this change in the method of payment status for their TVM's. You will not be penalised with a 'standard fare' from a station that has a TVM only. If I remember correctly, only the main stations such as Central and Queen St have TVM's that still accept cash. The rest are card only.

 

[Bill Badger]

If there is absolutely no other way to buy a ticket, (and the TVM will only accept cards), then you may purchase the full range of tickets on-board, if available. However, at an interchange point or your destination, you should buy a ticket for your whole journey....

It is not always possible to buy en route.

Take a journey I’m doing tomorrow from Farnborough North to Lewes. If I wish to use cash I have a 5 minute change at Redhill and 10 minutes at Gatwick Airport, neither of which is sufficient time to go and purchase a ticket, so I will require to purchase at my destinatin. Hopefully the guard will come to collect fares but if he doesn’t and I don’t think it is reasonable to expect me to leave home an hour earlier to build in time to purchase a ticket with cash en route.

Little tip though, take a picture of the TVM screen saying 'cards only'... just in case you run into a bit of trouble in your journey...

er.. I'm not planning to take a camera with me either!

 

[wibble]

It is not always possible to buy en route.

Take a journey I’m doing tomorrow from Farnborough North to Lewes. If I wish to use cash I have a 5 minute change at Redhill and 10 minutes at Gatwick Airport, neither of which is sufficient time to go and purchase a ticket, so I will require to purchase at my destinatin. Hopefully the guard will come to collect fares but if he doesn’t and I don’t think it is reasonable to expect me to leave home an hour earlier to build in time to purchase a ticket with cash en route.

If you are unable to purchase your ticket at Farnborough North, you still have to make an attempt to buy a ticket from the guard on the train. If you are Penalty Fared getting off the Southern train at Gatwick, you'd have a hard time appealing if you made no attempt to buy your ticket from the FGW guard, from the ticket office at Redhill or from the Southern guard...
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I have noticed in recent trips that many TVM's are turning into card only because of vandlism, I have noticed example on the First franchises of Scotrail, Great Western and Capital connect (although don't know if it was a fault with it).

Is this first policy to stop low-lives stealling the look. On Great Western how do you avoid the penalty fare if you only have cash?

Are other operators turning TVM's into card only? Not that I would trust a TVM with notes myself anyway....

Because of the security features required for TVMs handling cash, they are likely to cost twice as much as a card only machine. When a TOC installs a cash TVM, they have to consider the revenue physically taken from the machine but also the cost of repairing/replacing the TVM and the amount of money the machine is not collecting.

If you want to pay cash and the machine doesn't accept cash, (and/or the ticket office is closed) you can buy the full range of available tickets later in your journey from either the guard or at your interchange station.

 

[Greenback]

TVM's that take cash are not only a magnet for thieves, but also require more attention to ensure they have adequate amounts of change.

It's easier and cheaper for TOC's to make TVM@s card only. I assume that in Scotland the larger stations where they can still be found have both adequate security to protect them, and the staff to maintain them.

As it easier and cheaper for TOC's then the least they should do is to ease the penalty fare rules at stations where there is no ticket office open, just as Scotrail have done. People should not be penalised for not having a card, or for choosing to pay by cash.

 

[Failed Unit]

TVM's that take cash are not only a magnet for thieves, but also require more attention to ensure they have adequate amounts of change.

It's easier and cheaper for TOC's to make TVM@s card only. I assume that in Scotland the larger stations where they can still be found have both adequate security to protect them, and the staff to maintain them.

As it easier and cheaper for TOC's then the least they should do is to ease the penalty fare rules at stations where there is no ticket office open, just as Scotrail have done. People should not be penalised for not having a card, or for choosing to pay by cash.

At the FGW stations I visited over the moment they have taken the Scotrail approach of covering the coinslot and proving a cash only notice. New Barnet was just machine screen so it could have been faultly.

 

[Bill Badger]

If you are unable to purchase your ticket at Farnborough North, you still have to make an attempt to buy a ticket from the guard on the train. If you are Penalty Fared getting off the Southern train at Gatwick, you'd have a hard time appealing if you made no attempt to buy your ticket from the FGW guard, from the ticket office at Redhill or from the Southern guard...

I guess that bring us to the debate that has taken place on this Forum a number of times!

I think it is generally agreed that ignoring a guard who is walking up the train is clearly wrong, but as to whether it's reasonable to expect a passenger to go in search of the guard or not, there are two strongly held, juxtaposed views on this, so not much point going over these again.

However, I certainly can't see how I can be expected to get off a train at Redhill, go downstairs to the ticket office, negotiate my way out of the barrier, queue up, buy a ticket and return to the platform in just 5 minutes though; and similarly when I have 10 minutes at Gatwick.

 

[class156]

ScotRail have amended their 'buy before you board' policy to reflect this change in the method of payment status for their TVM's. You will not be penalised with a 'standard fare' from a station that has a TVM only. If I remember correctly, only the main stations such as Central and Queen St have TVM's that still accept cash. The rest are card only.

I was at Kilmarnock a couple of days ago and the TVM there still accepted cash.

 

[CarterUSM]

I was at Kilmarnock a couple of days ago and the TVM there still accepted cash.

Thanks, I was aware of other stations that retained their TVM's cash option, but i could not have named them. I was always surprised that Killie recieved a TVM and not East Kilbride however. Does Ayr still have them also?

 

[class156]

Thanks, I was aware of other stations that retained their TVM's cash option, but i could not have named them. I was always surprised that Killie recieved a TVM and not East Kilbride however. Does Ayr still have them also?

I think Ayr still has them, will check next time i'm there.

 

[yorkie]

If there is absolutely no other way to buy a ticket, (and the TVM will only accept cards), then you may purchase the full range of tickets on-board, if available. However, at an interchange point or your destination, you should buy a ticket for your whole journey.

Interchange point only if it does not involve missing a train and you have time before the next train. The wording is "first opportunity" and there is no compulsion to delay your journey.