Ticket bought online after the scheduled departure

[gembercannelle]

I would like to double check please. I arrived at a station after the scheduled departure but due to the train being delayed with about 3 or less minutes to spare. I didn't have time to go to another platform where the ticket machine is located so I bought a ticket online (on my phone) and completed the transaction about 30 seconds before the train arrived, but, technically, at least 5 minutes after the scheduled departure. Is such a ticket valid?

(There were no ticket checks, only automated barriers, which let me through without issues).

 

[Sun Chariot]

Hello - to ensure I am clear - was your e-ticket purchase transaction completed (so was visible and usable on your mobile device) 30 seconds before the delayed train physically stopped at the station?

If yes, then you are fine, as you had a valid ticket for your journey before you boarded that train (assuming you had bought the valid ticket for that service).

 

[gembercannelle]

Hello - to ensure I am clear - was your e-ticket purchase transaction completed (so was visible and usable on your mobile device) 30 seconds before the delayed train physically stopped at the station?

If yes, then you are fine, as you had a valid ticket for your journey before you boarded that train (assuming yiu had bought a valid ticket for that service).

Yep - the e-ticket was issued and email arrived a few seconds before the train's doors opened.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Good stuff

 

[TUC]

Given it was before the train arrived, where's the problem?

 

[30907]

Given it was before the train arrived, where's the problem?

The problem might be a staff member disputing the timing, but standing firm in the first instance should be enough - and complaining if that fails

 

[Kite159]

Depending on the system the guard is using, it will flag up as 'purchased after departure' as some systems don't take into account late running. However as the time of purchase will be visible (and the guard will hopefully see it wasn't purchased a minute or so before getting checked) they will simply ignore the message.

 

[Sun Chariot]

@gembercannelle are you familiar with Realtime Trains app/site? I suggest you take a screenshot of your train service at your station - at the very least, it will evidence the late departure of your train service.

 

[TUC]

Depending on the system the guard is using, it will flag up as 'purchased after departure' as some systems don't take into account late running. However as the time of purchase will be visible (and the guard will hopefully see it wasn't purchased a minute or so before getting checked) they will simply ignore the message.

How can any system which doesn't reflect something as very basic as actual departure time have any operational use? Another example of where what anyone can see on their phones is ahead of the technology used by some TOCs.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

How can any system which doesn't reflect something as very basic as actual departure time have any operational use? Another example of where what anyone can see on their phones is ahead of the technology used by some TOCs.

Although for an on train check, I would think that the guard/RPO would notice that the train that they were on was running late.

 

[TUC]

Although for an on train check, I would think that the guard/RPO would notice that the train that they were on was running late.

Indeed. I was assuming the concern about was at the ticket barrier upon arrival.

 

[OscarH]

How can any system which doesn't reflect something as very basic as actual departure time have any operational use? Another example of where what anyone can see on their phones is ahead of the technology used by some TOCs.

Have you had any experience with some of the popular onboard scanning apps? They can be hilariously bad

(I agree with you, live running info is pretty important, and should be immediately to hand for the train in question and previous/future legs)

 

[gembercannelle]

It can be even more problematic if you are typically buying an off-peak return (or anytime) from A to B and have it as a "saved journey", then buy the same ticket to board somewhere half-way. (Way after the train's departure from A). This should be a valid ticket, and there would be no questions if it was bought from the machine or at the ticket office, but buying "online" might cause issues.