FCC Install "Anti Glare" Ticket Machines

[allticketspls]

From Welwyn & Hatfield Times

EVER tried to buy a rail ticket from a vending machine only to find it virtually impossible to see what you’re doing because of the sunlight reflecting off the screen?

You’re not alone – for the experience has generated plenty of complaints to First Capital Connect (FCC).

And the rail operator has now acted to tackle this prevalent customer concern by installing anti-glare screens on 36 of its ticket vending machines.

The screens, which cost £63,000 to be installed, are located at 26 of FCC’s stations, which had been prioritised by the highest number of complaints received.

Stations include Hatfield, Knebworth, Watton-at-Stone, Welham Green and Cuffley.

Keith Jipps, FCC’s head of customer services, said the screens cancelled out the glare from the sun and made it easier and clearer when purchasing tickets.

He said: “This has been a major concern for our customer and we are really pleased with the new anti-glare screens.

“We trialled them at a few key stations for a couple of weeks and the customer feedback was very positive.”

Watton at Stone, Cuffley, Welham Green?!?!?! I hope they are all set to take cards only....

 

[Galvanize]

Apparently the "Shard" building at London Bridge is built with anti-glare glass, otherwise that could cause problems for train drivers coming into the station!

 

[pendolino]

Apparently the "Shard" building at London Bridge is built with anti-glare glass, otherwise that could cause problems for train drivers coming into the station!

Really? Well it doesn't work very well. I've been suddenly dazzled a few times on the final approach to London Bridge, during bright sunshine and at certain times of the day. Other drivers have mentioned the same problem.

 

[Yew]

The shard?

Ive heared of it, but i didnt see it when I was in london :/ Maybe its see through because its made of glass?

Is How do these anti glare screens work then?

 

[SS4]

It's perfectly simple (OT: I swear I sound more like Basil Fawlty each and every day) to move your body so that there is enough shade to see what you're doing. FCC have only brought this in because some plebs have tried it on as an excuse for travelling without a ticket and instead of giving them a whack they spend millions no doubt to be recouped from the taxpayer or the honest passenger and the tossers not paying will simply find a new way

 

[klewer]

Let's hope they roll out more of these across the rest of the country - it's impossible to see the screen on the machines at my local station.

Can't see NXEA putting their hand in their pocket to fund the anti-glare glass though...

 

[moonrakerz]

Really? Well it doesn't work very well. I've been suddenly dazzled a few times on the final approach to London Bridge, during bright sunshine and at certain times of the day. Other drivers have mentioned the same problem.

I think the glass on the Shard still has its plastic protective film on it, so what you may see now isn't really representative.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It's perfectly simple ...... to move your body so that there is enough shade to see what you're doing.

You must be joking ! The last time I tried that I nearly got arrested for committing an indecent act with a ticket machine.............:roll:

 

[HST Power]

£63,000 to install 26 machines.

And two seconds to shift yourself to block the sunlight.

I can see a massive debate coming out of this, but it really is in my view totally and completely ridiculous.


Oh, and SS4, no need to worry about sounding like Basil, he's a legend. I wish I sounded like him!

 

[swt_passenger]

£63,000 to install 26 machines.

36 machines at 26 stations, but still a fairly ridiculous price. But then again how much is this vandal proof glass that is both anti-glare and still works as a touch screen?

 

[stut]

It's perfectly simple (OT: I swear I sound more like Basil Fawlty each and every day) to move your body so that there is enough shade to see what you're doing. FCC have only brought this in because some plebs have tried it on as an excuse for travelling without a ticket and instead of giving them a whack they spend millions no doubt to be recouped from the taxpayer or the honest passenger and the tossers not paying will simply find a new way

Short of being 8ft tall and 30 stone, I'd challenge you to find any way to shift your body so as to make the TVMs at Waterbeach readable on a sunny day!

 

[causton]

Stations include Hatfield, Knebworth, Watton-at-Stone, Welham Green and Cuffley.

The one outside Hatfield (front entrance) has a big problem with this, so this news is good. Let's hope they've put the covering on that machine and not the one round the back of the station that is only used for about 3 hours a day... or knowing FCC probably only applied it to ticket machines indoors!

Now all they need to do is replace the rest of the touch screen to make the screen actually responsive instead of having to almost smash the glass to select your ticket

 

[ess]

now they just need to make changes so you can see the credit card pin screen without having to bend down too. i've always thought the machines had a stupid design because it slows down the purchase process and makes the queues longer

 

[HST Power]

36 machines at 26 stations, but still a fairly ridiculous price. But then again how much is this vandal proof glass that is both anti-glare and still works as a touch screen?

This is the big problem facing these new screens. As causton said (I should've quoted, but I didn't) trying to select a ticket requires severe bashing of the glass!

 

[Tim R-T-C]

We recently got a new card-only machine at Steeton & Silsden and the screen is obviously meant to be ultra-resistant, just makes it almost impossible to see. Not due to sun glare, it just seems to have a thick film over it which is only just opaque.

 

[swt_passenger]

now they just need to make changes so you can see the credit card pin screen without having to bend down too. i've always thought the machines had a stupid design because it slows down the purchase process and makes the queues longer

It's a DDA requirement to have the credit card screen low down I should think, and I also suggest having it partially inset into the TVM front is a tactic to guard against 'shoulder surfing'.

So that aspect is v. unlikely to be changed.

 

[trainophile]

Same problem at Chester. I picked up a ticket recently on a sunny day and no amount of contorting my body helped reduce the glare. Luckily it was an AP ticket so no input of debit card details needed, but it was still next to impossible until the sun was partially in cloud cover.

In that case I'd say it's the positioning of the machines that could have been better thought out - after all the sun comes up in the same direction every day.