Ticket Machines:

[Andrew Nelson]

Just an example of a widespread problem I've found:

For Instance, I was a Sheffield Midland on Sunday 22/08/10.

Wanting to travel to Leeds, via no particular point, as have a Concessionary pass that allows Me to use any Rail Service in My county of West Yorkshire, for 50p. I therefore tried to buy a ticket from Sheffield to the first Station in West Yorkshire a Service would call at.

Unfortunately, the fares I was offered by the Ticket Machines were hugely inflated.

For instance:

The fare from Sheffield to either Moorthorpe or Denby Dale, is £3.90 each Single. However, the Price offered by the Machines were £7.50 and £9.60!!!

This was a "Cheap Day Single" (Major Problem if it takes more than a Day)

I tried both the "Northern" Machine, and the "East Midland" Machines, with exactly the same result.

I had already reported this anomaly several Months ago, yet still same problem after a price-rise.

I went to the Ticket window, and actually went via Darton, and paid £3.60 + 50p.

How many People get Royally Screwed by this situation?

Unfortunately, Folks may think the Machines are correct, and not have time to Queue at a Window....

 

[yorkie]

I believe the machines are only showing the 'Not Doncaster' and 'Not Leeds' fares. The 'Any Permitted' fares are cheaper.

If anyone thinks this makes no sense, remember this is the rail industry we're talking about, and in their world, there are apparently only "3 categories" of tickets, we have a "simple" system, making it "easier for you to buy the best value ticket for your journey", allowing you to "choose your rail ticket with confidence". There is "no economic justification" for Off Peak tickets because they are used by customers who "are using their income on a leisure journey rather than going to the theatre or buying CDs" which is very naughty of them. The " overwhelming majority " of passengers have "no problem whatsoever buying the right ticket" and everything is rosy and wonderful. Oh, and don't forget," Ticket terms and conditions are now the same across all train companies nationwide, so you know exactly where you stand." Move along, nothing to see here!

Sheffield-Denby Dale
SDS Rte: Any Permitted £4.90
SDS Rte: Not Leeds £7.80

Sheffield-Moorthorpe
SDS Rte: Any Permitted £3.90
SDS Rte: Not Doncaster £9.90

(according to ATOC!)

 

[RJ]

There's a reason why Any Permitted tickets where route options are available, aren't very popular. A full range should be available from the ticket office where the friendly clerk should sell you the cheapest ticket for your needs .

 

[yorkie]

In this case, the Not Leeds or Not Doncaster tickets should never be sold (unless some crazy person wants to be ripped-off). The full range should be available from the machines.

 

[Greenback]

There's a reason why Any Permitted tickets where route options are available, aren't very popular. A full range should be available from the ticket office where the friendly clerk should sell you the cheapest ticket for your needs .

Except for locations where the ticket office has been closed, or the hours drastically reduced because of the introduction of the wonderful TVM's!

 

[reb0118]

I believe the machines are only showing the 'Not Doncaster' and 'Not Leeds' fares. The 'Any Permitted' fares are cheaper.

Sheffield-Denby Dale
SDS Rte: Any Permitted £4.90
SDS Rte: Not Leeds £7.80

Sheffield-Moorthorpe
SDS Rte: Any Permitted £3.90
SDS Rte: Not Doncaster £9.90

(according to ATOC!)

Can you explain the rational behind the above fares?

 

[John @ home]

Can you explain the rational behind the above fares?

The only explanation I can think of is that they assist the TOCs in ripping off passengers.

 

[Andrew Nelson]

The only explanation I can think of is that they assist the TOCs in ripping off passengers.

Yes, as the day single should be on the Machine, and it isn't.

Simple, rip-off.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
By the way, I'll be down in Sheffield Tomorrow, and will check if they have been bothered to put this right.

 

[Dewedin]

How can an Any Permitted fare be cheaper than a Not * fare anyway? Very counter-intuitive.

 

[yorkie]

because there is no system in place to prevent it happening...

 

[Andrew Nelson]

Another good one is Darton to Doncaster, via Wakefield, is £4.00 £5.00 ret or Wakefield to Doncaster is at least £7.20, £7.70 ret.

Great, further for less.

Or the Manchester to Huddersfield, where a return is 20p cheaper than a single.


The Whole System is a compleat Bl**dy Mess....

 

[brompton rail]

Another good one is Darton to Doncaster, via Wakefield, is £4.00 £5.00 ret or Wakefield to Doncaster is at least £7.20, £7.70 ret.

Great, further for less.

Or the Manchester to Huddersfield, where a return is 20p cheaper than a single.


The Whole System is a compleat Bl**dy Mess....

Not quite a fair comparison, the quoted Darton fare is Off peak DR.
Anytime day return is £6.20 Doncaster to Darton (or more useful to Barnsley) valid either via Wakefield or Meadowhall, and Doncaster to Wakefield Stns Anytime return is £7.70. Still more useful and cheaper to get the Barnsley ticket than the Wakefield one though.

 

[Andrew Nelson]

Just checked the Machines at Doncaster, They have ALL the Available options.

So Sheffield has NO Excuse.

 

[Deerfold]

How can an Any Permitted fare be cheaper than a Not * fare anyway? Very counter-intuitive.

I suspect the any permitted fare is set by WYPTE/SYPTE (they seem to work together quite well compared with, say, anyone and GMPTE).

They probably didn't think anyone would set higher ones that were more restrictive...