Why don't ticket machines take the 3 letter CRS codes?

[JulienD]

It would make it easier and quicker to use the ticket machine and avoid mishaps with the wrong station.

For example, instead of typing Henley-on-Thames, we could type HOT.

Instead of typing Burnham (Buckinghamshire), we could type BNM.

Instead of typing London Paddington, we could type PAD.

Eventually the station does come up on the suggested station list but allowing us to use the CRS codes would make using the ticket machine faster!

 

[Cambus731]

I’ve been of this opinion for a long time myself. It’s a very inconvenient oversight

 

[SeanG]

There could be an issue (as often seen on this forum) of people buying tickets to Barnes instead of Birmingham New Street....

 

[JulienD]

There could be an issue (as often seen on this forum) of people buying tickets to Barnes instead of Birmingham New Street....

Simple solution would be allowing people to still search by station name as well as CRS codes.
As well as that there's an order confirmation so people can check the tickets they're buying before paying

 

[ainsworth74]

I think a lot of enthusiasts overestimate how well know CRS codes outside of enthusiast and industry (or at least certain parts of the industry and, to be fair, enthusiast) circles. Sure I'd find it very handy to be able to type in three letter codes for some stations but I reckon 99% of TVM users won't have a clue that three letter codes even exist.

 

[JulienD]

I think a lot of enthusiasts overestimate how well know CRS codes outside of enthusiast and industry (or at least certain parts of the industry and, to be fair, enthusiast) circles. Sure I'd find it very handy to be able to type in three letter codes for some stations but I reckon 99% of TVM users won't have a clue that three letter codes even exist.

They do come up on TOC apps and E-tickets!

 

[saismee]

I think a lot of enthusiasts overestimate how well know CRS codes outside of enthusiast and industry (or at least certain parts of the industry and, to be fair, enthusiast) circles. Sure I'd find it very handy to be able to type in three letter codes for some stations but I reckon 99% of TVM users won't have a clue that three letter codes even exist.

It would be very helpful for me when helping customers buy tickets, especially in a hurry. Much quicker to write "LST" instead of individually spelling out "LONDON" and then hitting space on the... rather poor... S&B TVM screens. I don't think it'd cause any issues if it didn't appear in the search list until the third letter, so "SH" can show whatever comes up, then "SHM" would show Sheringham, for example.

They do come up on TOC apps and E-tickets!

And lamp posts, and station poster boards, and sometimes CIS screens!

 

[Dima]

I think a lot of enthusiasts overestimate how well know CRS codes outside of enthusiast and industry (or at least certain parts of the industry and, to be fair, enthusiast) circles. Sure I'd find it very handy to be able to type in three letter codes for some stations but I reckon 99% of TVM users won't have a clue that three letter codes even exist.

I think quite a few regular or semi-regular committers between two stations would happily remember a couple of three-letter codes if it could save them a bit of hassle every time they take a train.

 

[johntea]

I'm sure some ticket machines do have this functionality (LNER for example I'm pretty sure I did this exact thing on last week!)

Just don't get to the stage in your life like me when you're so used to the CRS codes you start trying to type them into the likes of Google Maps and surprised when nothing is returned!

 

[CyrusWuff]

It would make it easier and quicker to use the ticket machine and avoid mishaps with the wrong station

Eventually the station does come up on the suggested station list but allowing us to use the CRS codes would make using the ticket machine faster!

It's supplier dependent. The Arrive (formerly Flowbird) TVMs used by Chiltern, LNER and Northern allow you to enter the CRS code.

 

[SuspectUsual]

There could be an issue (as often seen on this forum) of people buying tickets to Barnes instead of Birmingham New Street....

Not if the three letter code is just a shortcut and the actual purchase screen still displays the full name of the station (perhaps with the code in brackets afterwards)

If someone typed BNS, the machine displayed “Barnes” in big letters,and they continued attempting to buy a ticket to Birmingham, well, they probably need help tying their shoelaces

 

[Skie]

The auto complete on many booking websites will accept the code or full name, and usually shows the code in brackets after the full name. Do that and it’s clear as day what you’re choosing.

 

[DelW]

It would be very helpful for me when helping customers buy tickets, especially in a hurry. Much quicker to write "LST" instead of individually spelling out "LONDON" and then hitting space on the... rather poor... S&B TVM screens. I don't think it'd cause any issues if it didn't appear in the search list until the third letter, so "SH" can show whatever comes up, then "SHM" would show Sheringham, for example.

Agreed - I rarely use TVMs, but if I do, it's usually to buy a ticket to Waterloo or Victoria. It's a pain having to type the full "LONDON(space)" before I can put in the W or V that finally shows the destination I want. Being able to use WAT or VIC would save time. Alternatively put up "London Terminals" as an option as soon as LON is input.

 

[Amos390]

I find that on the newer EMR ticket machines you can use the CRS codes now, I thought this was standard but evidently not. I suppose maybe the people who progam these things think that the general public don't know the CRS codes for the station they want to go to, so why bother?

 

[Ian Hardy]

Just don't get to the stage in your life like me when you're so used to the CRS codes you start trying to type them into the likes of Google Maps and surprised when nothing is returned!

You aren't the only one who does that.

 

[Amos390]

Just went to Newark to see 45118, and whilst I was there, tested to see if you can use the CRS codes in the ticket machines there, to which the answer was you can (as demonstrated in the image attached)

 

[sheff1]

Not if the three letter code is just a shortcut and the actual purchase screen still displays the full name of the station (perhaps with the code in brackets afterwards)

If someone typed BNS, the machine displayed “Barnes” in big letters,and they continued attempting to buy a ticket to Birmingham, well, they probably need help tying their shoelaces

Someone who is unaware of the 3 letter codes is not likely to start typing anything other than BIR if they want to go to Birmingham.

I have automatically entered STP on TVMs and briefly wondered why no destination appeared.

 

[Dr Hoo]

Someone who is unaware of the 3 letter codes is not likely to start typing anything other than BIR if they want to go to Birmingham.

I have automatically entered STP on TVMs and briefly wondered why no destination appeared.

Never underestimate other people’s ability to ‘think differently’. BNS for New Street, BMS, BSH and BIN for the others could appear perfectly logical to some.

 

[Russel]

There could be an issue (as often seen on this forum) of people buying tickets to Barnes instead of Birmingham New Street....

If it caused issues, TOC apps wouldn't allow it.

 

[Hophead]

On the (mostly Southern) machines I use, the list of potential candidates steadily reduces with every letter typed. By the time I've got to BRI, it's simple enough to just tap Brighton. I wouldn't even think to start typing L, O, N; I'd dive straight in with a V and possibly an I, then just tap Victoria , which would presumably have appeared at this stage.

Not saying the codes wouldn't be useful, but I've never found it difficult to find my intended destination.

 

[saismee]

I'd dive straight in with a V and possibly an I, then just tap Victoria , which would presumably have appeared at this stage.

That isn't an option on S&B machines, and definitely wouldn't work for Liverpool Street.

 

[htwestern]

Just don't get to the stage in your life like me when you're so used to the CRS codes you start trying to type them into the likes of Google Maps and surprised when nothing is returned!

Weirdly this works for Cardiff Queen Street [CDQ] but not many other places!

 

[Amos390]

Further proof at an EMR ticket machine also accepts CRS codes

 

[Krokodil]

I think a lot of enthusiasts overestimate how well know CRS codes outside of enthusiast and industry (or at least certain parts of the industry and, to be fair, enthusiast) circles. Sure I'd find it very handy to be able to type in three letter codes for some stations but I reckon 99% of TVM users won't have a clue that three letter codes even exist.

Most apps accept them so even if the public don't use it, it doesn't harm them for the option to exist.

I think quite a few regular or semi-regular committers between two stations would happily remember a couple of three-letter codes if it could save them a bit of hassle every time they take a train.

Those on the Southern used to memorise train headcodes.

Not saying the codes wouldn't be useful, but I've never found it difficult to find my intended destination.

Try standing at Llandudno Junction trying to buy a ticket to Llandudno from the TVM. Should be straightforward, right? Nope, you've got to type in six letters before it even appears on the shortlist, you're shown a long list of Heart of Wales and Cambrian stations beginning "Lland-" first. This is equally an argument for listing destinations in order of popularity from that origin rather than alphabetically.

 

[transportphoto]

Further proof at an EMR ticket machine also accepts CRS codes

This appears to be one of the smart kiosks? I don’t believe the Scheidt and Bachmann (comparatively old school) ticket machines do.

 

[saismee]

I don’t believe the Scheidt and Bachmann (comparatively old school) ticket machines do.

The GA S&B ones don't.

 

[Amos390]

This appears to be one of the smart kiosks? I don’t believe the Scheidt and Bachmann (comparatively old school) ticket machines do.

Yeah, they are relatively new (maybe a year out now), hopefully it means that the use of CRS codes is being rolled out with new ones

 

[The exile]

Most apps accept them so even if the public don't use it, it doesn't harm them for the option to exist.


Those on the Southern used to memorise train headcodes.


Try standing at Llandudno Junction trying to buy a ticket to Llandudno from the TVM. Should be straightforward, right? Nope, you've got to type in six letters before it even appears on the shortlist, you're shown a long list of Heart of Wales and Cambrian stations beginning "Lland-" first. This is equally an argument for listing destinations in order of popularity from that origin rather than alphabetically.

An argument for having a separate “Llan” button on TfW machines in the way that Scottish directories etc used to have a separate Mc/Mac tab.

 

[AdamWW]

An argument for having a separate “Llan” button on TfW machines in the way that Scottish directories etc used to have a separate Mc/Mac tab.

I'm pretty sure I have indeed seen this on a TfW machine but I forget where.

 

[SuspectUsual]

This is equally an argument for listing destinations in order of popularity from that origin rather than alphabetically.

Northern claimed their machines did this when I asked them back in about 2018. When I replied and said I was surprised that was the case, as from Todmorden neither Leeds nor Manchester appeared on the list of popular destinations but Bromley did, they went silent

This seems really basic to me, and where relevant it ought to be "side of the tracks specific"