Apps now enforcing M-Tickets only?

[yorkie]

Question:
If you are on claim back expenses, how can you do that with any of these tickets on a mobile phone?
When I claim it is either the ticket or no money.

With e-tickets, the ticket is emailed to you as an attachment and/or available on a downloadable link, so it is very easy to submit the ticket to any accounting system. The ticket may additionally be available within an app.

With m-tickets, the ticket is only held within the app, so you'd be relying on a screenshot. Again I advise against the use of m-tickets for so many reasons.

I purchased tickets on EMR's website this morning, ToD; E-ticket; and Mobile Ticket (I believe) was offered to me as options.
I chose ToD, as I always will - Paper tickets (in my mind) are far superior for my needs and desires - and was told I can collect 15 minutes after purchase from any Self Service Ticket Machine using the standard booking reference at any of the 1700 odd machines / Locations / Stations.
Before I've always had to specify a station - so from my point of view that's a massive improvement in the flexible offering!

Selecting a station is only for the purpose of confirming the facility exists, and to inform you of any collection restriction details. You can print from any working machine at any location.

 

[Bungle965]

When did that change?

3 or 4 weeks back I believe.
Sam

 

[800002]

Selecting a station is only for the purpose of confirming the facility exists, and to inform you of any collection restriction details. You can print from any working machine at any location.

Rightio - just never before experienced (although I can't remember the last time I booked a ticket with ToD pick-up) not having to input the pick-up location.

 

[Belperpete]

was told I can collect 15 minutes after purchase from any Self Service Ticket Machine using the standard booking reference at any of the 1700 odd machines / Locations / Stations.

It used to be 15 or 30 minutes from the specified/starting station, or 2 hours from any other station. Has this now changed to 15 minutes from anywhere?

 

[Belperpete]

Question:
If you are on claim back expenses, how can you do that with any of these tickets on a mobile phone?
When I claim it is either the ticket or no money.

I thought that you had no right to keep the ticket? And even if you do keep the ticket, you may need to submit it as part of a delay-repay claim. Which is why you should always get a receipt if you need to claim the fare on expenses.

 

[800002]

It used to be 15 or 30 minutes from the specified/starting station, or 2 hours from any other station. Has this now changed to 15 minutes from anywhere?

Yes, I believe so.
The text (copied) from my email confirmation:-
*This is confirmation of your booking and is not your travel ticket.
Dear Customer,

Thank you for buying your train tickets with East Midlands Railway.

Your booking reference is *a*.

All of the information below is available in My Account. For further assistance or to contact us, please visit our Help Pages.
Journey Information
Getting your tickets: Self-Service Ticket Machine
Collection reference: **
Tickets will be available to pick-up from a self-service ticket machine at any one of 1700 UK stations 15 minute(s) after booking.

When you go to collect your tickets you will need:

• Your collection reference: **
• A debit or credit card (your card will not be charged).

You must have both of the above to be able to collect your tickets.

Journey 1:...

 

[alistairlees]

It used to be 15 or 30 minutes from the specified/starting station, or 2 hours from any other station. Has this now changed to 15 minutes from anywhere?

There has never been - to the best of my knowledge - any differentiation between stations for speed of collection. All collection references are sent to a central database, from where they can be retrieved by any TVM. The speed with which this takes place is up to the retailer. A retailing website can easily make a ticket available for collection from any tvm in less than a minte.

 

[smsm1]

Question:
If you are on claim back expenses, how can you do that with any of these tickets on a mobile phone?
When I claim it is either the ticket or no money.

I've provided the booking details from my account or a screenshot from the app of the ticket, both have been accepted. Though I do work for a little company. Sounds like the company you work for will need to update their processes.

 

[smsm1]

A retailing website can easily make a ticket available for collection from any tvm in less than a minte

I have in the past (a few years ago) booked a ticket on my phone and straight away picked it up at the TVM, even so it said needed to wait half an hour or 2 hours. The reason for doing it was wanting a ticket that the ticket machine wouldn't issue, likely a return that started from another station as I would be returning to another station. Now some ticket machine support alternative start stations and dates.

I think it's a cautious thing in case there is a delay in sending the details to the database.

 

[Wallsendmag]

There has never been - to the best of my knowledge - any differentiation between stations for speed of collection. All collection references are sent to a central database, from where they can be retrieved by any TVM. The speed with which this takes place is up to the retailer. A retailing website can easily make a ticket available for collection from any tvm in less than a minte.

LSM (the ToD Database) works fairly quickly and once the booking is inserted into the system it's available instantly.

 

[35B]

Question:
If you are on claim back expenses, how can you do that with any of these tickets on a mobile phone?
When I claim it is either the ticket or no money.

My employer requires proof of purchase when I claim back. I can use a ticket, an email confirmation, an Oyster (or equivalent) statement or a receipt to equal effect. A friend working for another large corporate didn’t need any of those, but did need proof (typically a screenshot) that the ticket he purchased was the cheapest available for that journey.

I’ve never booked in app for rail travel, but have never had a problem obtaining proof of purchase on other modes of travel when I’ve done so. Indeed, as I have to claim my expenses through Concur, I was pleasantly surprised to find Addison Lee could inject the proof of purchase direct to Concur.

If you have problems with your claims, I suggest a quiet conversation with whomever to agree a suitable alternative to the ticket itself.

 

[hassaanhc]

I had no idea Trainline had turned over a new leaf. Presumably this won’t last!

I did a bit of testing and found ScotRail also allow TOD collection with no fees.

I doubt it's turning over a new leaf. It'll be to grow the user base then once it's big enough the fees will be whacked on and they will hope enough people stay, I reckon.

For me just now, it charges a fee if your ticket is for another day, but doesn't charge you a fee if your ticket is for the same day.

 

[snail]

I purchased tickets on EMR's website this morning, ToD; E-ticket; and Mobile Ticket (I believe) was offered to me as options.
I chose ToD, as I always will - Paper tickets (in my mind) are far superior for my needs and desires - and was told I can collect 15 minutes after purchase from any Self Service Ticket Machine using the standard booking reference at any of the 1700 odd machines / Locations / Stations.
Before I've always had to specify a station - so from my point of view that's a massive improvement in the flexible offering!

You have always been able to collect at any station though they insisted on you naming one. I agree with you about paper tickets, much easier to find on a packed train than fumbling though screen on my phone.
My personal website hate is when I use TPE and they try to force their TOC only tickets with no option for the (more expensive) tickets on any TOC.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Can someone point me to an app that delivers e-tickets by email, allows selection of ToD and does not charge a booking fee for any tickets?

Trainline, at least for now.

Edit: apparently not if booked in advance, sorry.

 

[Bletchleyite]

For me just now, it charges a fee if your ticket is for another day, but doesn't charge you a fee if your ticket is for the same day.

Ah. I've not tried an advance booking via an app. I don't often do advance bookings anyway, but if I did I'd use a PC to do it for a more flexible UI and a seat selector etc.

 

[MalaiseForever]

The Virgin ticket office at Crewe (and perhaps elsewhere), strongly suggest that they send you an e-ticket to your phone instead of a paper ticket now.

I believe you scan a QR code and it will save to your phone.

Haven’t tried it yet as I generally prefer a paper ticket.

Although I would be interested to see them produce my PRIV tickets in electronic form.

 

[Bungle965]

The Virgin ticket office at Crewe (and perhaps elsewhere), strongly suggest that they send you an e-ticket to your phone instead of a paper ticket now.

I believe you scan a QR code and it will save to your phone.

Haven’t tried it yet as I generally prefer a paper ticket.

Although I would be interested to see them produce my PRIV tickets in electronic form.

This is how a PRIV ticket appears in your GPay wallet.
Sam

 

[headshot119]

The Virgin ticket office at Crewe (and perhaps elsewhere), strongly suggest that they send you an e-ticket to your phone instead of a paper ticket now.

I believe you scan a QR code and it will save to your phone.

Haven’t tried it yet as I generally prefer a paper ticket.

Although I would be interested to see them produce my PRIV tickets in electronic form.

Haven't had that at Carlisle Yet, though they do seem to have stopped using the fixed terminal and ticket printers, and are using a tablet and mobile printer, I do wonder if that's to eliminate the booking offices at some point and have the staff walking about.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Haven't had that at Carlisle Yet, though they do seem to have stopped using the fixed terminal and ticket printers, and are using a tablet and mobile printer, I do wonder if that's to eliminate the booking offices at some point and have the staff walking about.

Will be interesting to see what First Trenitalia propose - will they reverse it, continue it or do something else?

 

[Clip]

I agree with you about paper tickets, much easier to find on a packed train than fumbling though screen on my phone.

Hmm, not so sure - any paper tickets i have are kept in my wallet in my pocket which means i have to lean to one side, make sure nothing else can fall out when retrieving my wallet, then open it and then have to take out the ticket for inspection before doing the reverse to put it back in my pocket.

Phone is normally the side and with 2 clicks the app is open with ticket showing.

no fumbling through a phone screen here

 

[Bungle965]

Haven't had that at Carlisle Yet, though they do seem to have stopped using the fixed terminal and ticket printers, and are using a tablet and mobile printer, I do wonder if that's to eliminate the booking offices at some point and have the staff walking about.

Yes that came with the change of the ticket issuing system (From SMART to Avocet). Like you say a benefit is that a member of staff isn't confined to the window.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yes that came with the change of the ticket issuing system (From SMART to Avocet). Like you say a benefit is that a member of staff isn't confined to the window.

And the disbenefit is that the member of staff isn't confined to the window.

 

[MalaiseForever]

This is how a PRIV ticket appears in your GPay wallet.
Sam

Thanks. Always been told it couldn’t be done as it’s not a public railcard.

 

[MalaiseForever]

And the disbenefit is that the member of staff isn't confined to the window.

Indeed, can be annoying if nobody is staffing the ticket office and you can’t find anyone to buy a ticket. But it is a good system when the ticket office is staffed, so they can deal with more in depth enquiries and the floating staff member can quickly sell tickets.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Indeed, can be annoying if nobody is staffing the ticket office and you can’t find anyone to buy a ticket. But it is a good system when the ticket office is staffed, so they can deal with more in depth enquiries and the floating staff member can quickly sell tickets.

Far better, and easier, to have it the other way round. The ticket office staff have a proper computer with a keyboard and mouse with a fully featured TIS, relevant physical books, Internet access etc. The roving member of staff has a mobile phone with whatever the staff equivalent of RTT is and maybe a few timetable leaflets in their pocket, and they wander around looking for people to help, and go and stand deliberately on platforms where there is disruption to help.

And if you don't need help and want a ticket quick, use the TVM or your phone. No need to waste a human's time doing that.

 

[MalaiseForever]

Far better, and easier, to have it the other way round. The ticket office staff have a proper computer with a keyboard and mouse with a fully featured TIS, relevant physical books, Internet access etc. The roving member of staff has a mobile phone with whatever the staff equivalent of RTT is and maybe a few timetable leaflets in their pocket, and they wander around looking for people to help, and go and stand deliberately on platforms where there is disruption to help.

And if you don't need help and want a ticket quick, use the TVM or your phone. No need to waste a human's time doing that.

I agree with you. Just speaking from my experiences as a frequent user of Crewe station. I have to use ticket office or staff member as the TVMs and mobile apps don’t sell PRIV tickets.

 

[Wallsendmag]

Will be interesting to see what First Trenitalia propose - will they reverse it, continue it or do something else?

Trenitalia have an amazing Ticket Issuing system but it's a bit pricey to buy.