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Chiltern Railways m-ticket purchased, phone stolen

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sheff1

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Yes I agree. There are many ticketing methods suitable for Railways but m-ticketing is not one of them.

Travelling in Sweden recently many people were using m-tickets on trains.

So they can work in a rail environment.
 
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jon0844

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They're probably out enjoying some great food right now, thinking about their rich futures - which won't happen if Joe Public get put off from the outset.

Suddenly these funky offices will seem bigger as people get laid off, until they end up moving to slightly less funky offices (how funky can a Job Centre office be?)

I'm clearly exaggerating a bit here for comic effect, but there is still a lot of truth in it!

Travelling in Sweden recently many people were using m-tickets on trains (as well as on local and regional buses).

So they can work in a rail environment.

Of course they can, but someone needs to think things through properly - and that includes looking at something from an end-user perspective. Something new like this is going to require trust in the public to switch, or at least gradually try things out.

Sweden is of course a country (not that I'm biased!!) that is very willing to embrace new technology, although they were relatively late to introducing smartcards in Stockholm. That said, their antiquated system that existed before (including strips of paper that were stamped) worked incredibly well and no doubt was considered 'not broken'.

I did find it odd when they stopped taking cash on buses, but didn't put any ticket machines at bus stops in rural areas. If you hadn't previously bought your ticket (or got a smartcard) then you couldn't travel - at least not officially. That was rather bizarre, but I guess most Swedes accepted this and made sure they got a smartcard.

Over here, you'd have people refuse to get a smartcard in case MI5 was tracking them; exactly as happened in the early days of Oyster.
 

Bungle73

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I think the ticket should be accessible from within the app when reinstalled on a new phone. The app is tied to an account (An iTunes account, or for Android, a Google account). It should be possible to verify that the app is at least installed on a device where the same user has logged in.

Okay, so it could be a stolen id/password, but there's only so much checking the developer needs to do before the problem transfers to the user (like a bank card, how did someone obtain said ID/password). There's no real need to completely lock out access to a ticket, especially before it has been/can be used.

But, they've obviously chosen to do it this way. As I've said many times, if they want to do it like that then fair enough - as long as it's in the T&Cs. It just means I absolutely would not buy a ticket this way as there's much more chance of something going wrong with my phone for some stupid reason than I lost the ticket that I'd look after like cash.
Yeah, but you can have one iTunes account for more than one device. There must be some way of having a system whereby lost m-tickets can be recovered though, otherwise the whole system is as much use as a chocolate teapot imho.
Looking at their FAQs on m-tickets
http://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/content/frequently-asked-questions#
and the links don't even work.
Yeah, I pointed that out several pages ago.

The whole m-ticket thing is just utter rubbish.
Indeed.
 

jon0844

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That's the thing with iOS and Android. I can (and do) have 5 or 6 Android devices that are logged in on with my single account. Any app bought on one can be downloaded and run on the other. That app could be customised for me, although most clearly aren't.

If I have a phone and tablet, why can't I access a file on either? The answer seems to be that there's a potential security risk for the operator, so best restrict it completely.

The funny thing is that nearly everything else I work with (email, contacts, appointments, docs and files) are stored in the cloud. Yes, I can save locally but everything is safely stored thousands of miles away and I can access on anything I log into. It's great, and means I never really need to sync any device with another device or PC/Mac - it all happens in the background automatically. When I get a new email, every device gets it within a matter of seconds - and if I read the message on one, it's marked as read on everything else so I don't see it twice.

But imagine if Gmail suddenly marked a message read and then removed it from existence so it was only on the first phone and I couldn't even see by searching through read mail? My email is in fact archived until I permanently remove it, and with 80GB of Google storage, I have emails going back years - including all my sent emails and attachments. Only I decide when to get rid of them.

Just look at all the new social media services. Everything on Facebook, Twitter, Picasa (insert any other service here) all stored safe and secure (most of the time!). Then someone comes along and issues a ticket on a one-off basis and 'tough luck' if lost. I really can't think of any other example where this might happen.

Oh yes, when it's scanned by someone that sends back a 'scanned' confirmation to the server that marks it as used. But, even then, you'd expect to be able to see that you had it in your 'transactions' folder for accounting purposes.
 

LondonJohn

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You're quite right in saying the TOCs are at fault for poor implementation. However many TOCs have it in their franchise agreements that they must provide, for example, smartcard ticketing. This results in rushed implementation and poor results.

Mobile ticketing is not suitable for the railway. I don't care if the airlines use it - trains ain't planes. You don't see airlines using cheap interavailable ticketing methods such as our orange edged paper tickets. That's because it wouldn't work for them!

Mobile ticketing is very much in it's infancy on the railway yet operators continue to rush in to implementing it. It's more trouble than it's worth.

Seems to work quite well with Megatrain with just a booking number sent to my phone by text.
 

jon0844

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They tick off against a list though don't they? That's quite an old-school way of doing it but it works, which is probably all that matters.

You can easily write that text down, which I used to do when I made an order with Argos - but they send a text and email now.

I've never actually tried to enter the code again. With Argos, if the item(s) are still in stock after the first order, I doubt they'd have a problem with you trying again!!
 

cumfy

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island

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For the train, you'd not only need allocated seats but also a check-in process - OR a live database that can be checked by anyone and everyone, which means blanket mobile coverage (possible perhaps with GSM-R?) and the equipment to manage it.

Not necessarily. Bus Éireann offers online ticketing verified by checksum — the driver keys in the ticket number into his machine which checks that it's correct for the journey, date, service, and ticket type. No communication or database is necessary, and if a ticket code is used twice on the same trip, the machine will reject it.
 

Greenback

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Not necessarily. Bus Éireann offers online ticketing verified by checksum — the driver keys in the ticket number into his machine which checks that it's correct for the journey, date, service, and ticket type. No communication or database is necessary, and if a ticket code is used twice on the same trip, the machine will reject it.

...and the passenger will not be allowed on the bus unless they purchase a ticket, which is kind of like a check in!

Your documentaion will still be checked before boarding, unlike UK trains.
 
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mallard

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Not necessarily. Bus Éireann offers online ticketing verified by checksum — the driver keys in the ticket number into his machine which checks that it's correct for the journey, date, service, and ticket type. No communication or database is necessary, and if a ticket code is used twice on the same trip, the machine will reject it.

That won't work for walk-up fares, which is apparently the problem as Chiltern sell walk-up fares this way.
 

jon0844

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Just got this release in my inbox earlier today:

CrossCountry First to Launch Mobile Ticketing App With Real Time Information

BIRMINGHAM, England, September 27, 2011/PRNewswire/ --

CrossCountry trains [http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk ] has launched
a mobile app that not only provides real time travel information across ALL
rail networks - you can download your ticket to it too. It will be the first
app to deliver live departure times and mobile ticketing in one go.

Available by texting 'Travel' to 87080, the Train Tickets app
[http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/Get_mobile/Our_Train_Tickets_app ]
allows customers to plan journeys, buy tickets for any journey in Britain as
well as receive m-tickets for certain routes. The app also provides access
to live departure boards, making it possible to keep up with the latest
information whilst planning or during your journey.

The addition of m-tickets, supported on certain routes, is in the form
of 2D barcodes and readable tickets. Users simply activate m-tickets before
boarding a train, inspectors can then verify using a barcode scanner or by
confirming the animated colour sequence on their ticket machines.

Where m-tickets are not available, customers can collect their tickets
using a booking reference number at most UK rail stations. The application
also has the option to link in-application purchases to the user's web
account, giving them a single convenient place to view all their ticket
purchases, or print out purchase records for expense claims. Unlike some
online train ticket retailers, CrossCountry does not charge booking or
credit card fees on tickets bought on its website or via the new Train
Tickets app.

This application allows consumers to completely bypass ticket machines,
making their journeys as effortless and enjoyable as possible, from buying
the ticket to boarding the train.

All transactions are secured using US government certified, EncryptME
security system. More journey planning and real time travel information
features are planned for release later this year, as well as tapping into
the geo-location capabilities of some handsets.

The 'Train Tickets' app supports iPhone, Blackberry, Android and Nokia
smartphones as well as most everyday handsets. Developed by technology
specialists Masabi, it can be downloaded from major app stores or by texting
'Travel' to 87080.
 

island

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...and the passenger will not be allowed on the bus unless they purchase a ticket, which is kind of like a check in!

Your documentaion will still be checked before boarding, unlike UK trains.

The conductor can just check it on board like this.
 

jon0844

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The release says how staff check, either scanning a barcode or checking the colour sequence. I wonder if that's like a game of Simon?!

In theory, I wonder how long until someone figures a quick way to buy a ticket such that they'll wait until they see revenue officers, walk up the carriage, buy a ticket and then present it? If you can save favourite journeys and have pre-registered your card details, surely this will be possible?
 
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Maybe they should enter the Most Effective Mobile Charity Solution category as it appears they'll be generating plenty of donations.:)

I've emailed Mobile Marketing and explained what happened to me. Said I was unhappy with my own experience of the Chiltern Railways app. And said I would be disappointed if they stayed on the awards shortlist.
 
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It's not really surprising that CrossCountry are implementing this too, Chiltern and XC do have the same parent company after all...

and surprise, surprise: the XC ticket app has exactly the same limitations:

  • you cannot transfer your ticket from one mobile phone to another
  • you cannot download the ticket again from your 'manage my bookings' section of your account
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Clever attack!

Indeed. Just got a speedy reponse from editor David Murphy, Editor, Mobile Marketing. I only contacted them last night. The Chiltern Railways app is on their awards shortlist.

David Murphy is writing to Chiltern Railways for their comments.
 

talltim

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Just had another look at the Chiltern app and it seems that m-tickets are available for £75 Anytime Returns as well as Advance fares. I didn't realise that m-tickets were available for walk-up fares as well. So how do they stop someone using the m-ticket twice?
A ticket punch should do it <D
 

Greenback

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The conductor can just check it on board like this.

We all know that conductors don't always get through the train, and all of the other problems associated with ticket checks on board.

What would happen if the conductor did find the documentation wrong or incomplete? On Bus Eireann, you don't get on, in the UK you'd already be on the train.

In theory, I wonder how long until someone figures a quick way to buy a ticket such that they'll wait until they see revenue officers, walk up the carriage, buy a ticket and then present it? If you can save favourite journeys and have pre-registered your card details, surely this will be possible?

some people have probably already figured it out. So there's anothe rproblem!

Complained about my m-ticket experience. Asked for £5 rail voucher as compensation. They've responded saying no, but I have asked Chiltern Railways to reconsider. No response yet.

They've just reminded about their m-ticket T&Cs:
http://tickets.chilternrailways.co.uk/ch/en/information/MobileTicketTandC.htm

I thought you'd accepted the ticket was gone!

I've emailed Mobile Marketing and explained what happened to me. Said I was unhappy with my own experience of the Chiltern Railways app. And said I would be disappointed if they stayed on the awards shortlist.

That's a clever approach, which may well get some results!
 

island

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We all know that conductors don't always get through the train, and all of the other problems associated with ticket checks on board.

What would happen if the conductor did find the documentation wrong or incomplete? On Bus Eireann, you don't get on, in the UK you'd already be on the train.

The customer is treated the same way as if he/she did not have the documentation relating to a paper ticket, e.g. an advance without a reservation or a discounted ticket without a railcard.
 

Greenback

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The customer is treated the same way as if he/she did not have the documentation relating to a paper ticket, e.g. an advance without a reservation or a discounted ticket without a railcard.

What you mena is some people will be 'let off', some will be penalty fared, some will be told they ahve to buy a full anytime return, and so on!

Isn;t there enough argument and conlict on trains now, without introducing the opportunity for a lot more?!

None of this persuades me that these systems don't need either a live database or a check in process. Yes, it could be done, but that doesn't mean it is sensible to do it.
 

Wolfie

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Complained about my m-ticket experience. Asked for £5 rail voucher as compensation. They've responded saying no, but I have asked Chiltern Railways to reconsider. No response yet.

They've just reminded about their m-ticket T&Cs:
http://tickets.chilternrailways.co.uk/ch/en/information/MobileTicketTandC.htm

Well, this clause for one is outrageous and questionably illegal as it almost certainly falls foul of the The Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 and The Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977.!
"We may modify the terms and conditions relating to Mobile and Self Print ticketing at any time by posting revised terms on this site."

How is the consumer to know these have been changed? Will Chiltern retrospectively after contrcat formation seek to apply new terms to tickets already purchased but not yet used?

Turning to the specifics of this case, The Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000, SI 2000/2334, incorporate Directive 97/7/EC into law of the United Kingdom. They apply to contracts "concluded between a supplier and a consumer under an organised distance sales or services provision scheme run by the supplier who, for the purposes of the contract, makes use of one or more means of distance communication" up to and including the moment of contract formation. This subordinate legislation provides for rights of the consumer and provisions for which the seller is obliged to fulfill. Examples may include ordering services by telephone or ordering goods via the internet.

Specifically The Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 give the consumer has an automatic right to cancel and rescind the contract at any time from formation of the contract until seven working days after the goods are delivered; or for service contracts, seven working days after the contract was formed (this may be before the service has been performed). I would suggest that if you are within this time window you do exactly this with Chiltern. The paragraph above makes it clear that this legislation applies here!

Indeed the Regulations place an absolute obligation on the supplier to provide notification of the right of cancellation (reg 13) - did Chiltern do so? Where the supplier has not provided the consumer with all the required information, the consumer has an automatic right to rescind the contract within three months and seven days of delivery of the goods, or of formation of the contract (service contracts).

However, there is a possible 'out' for Chiltern as the automatic right does not apply to contracts for products of fluctuating price - this could include train tickets.

Note that the Regulations specifically exclude certain types of contract BUT this does not include either transportation tickets generally or rail tickets in particular.
 

OwlMan

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Specifically The Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 give the consumer has an automatic right to cancel and rescind the contract at any time from formation of the contract until seven working days after the goods are delivered; or for service contracts, seven working days after the contract was formed (this may be before the service has been performed). I would suggest that if you are within this time window you do exactly this with Chiltern. The paragraph above makes it clear that this legislation applies here!

But as you have downloaded the ticket you would have to return it to Chiltern in order to cancel the contract. Note see later message to render this message superfloous
 
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Wolfie

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But as you have downloaded the ticket you would have to return it to Chiltern in order to cancel the contract.

...and they would have to provide the means for you to do so......
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
...and they would have to provide the means for you to do so......

Or, far more likely, remove the ticket from the list they must have somewhere of valid tickets.....

Certainly when using a printed version of these tickets Chilton scanned the barcode - I assume checks must be done against a validity list.
 

OwlMan

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...and they would have to provide the means for you to do so......

Rail tickets are exempt!!!!

from dft website
When only part of the DSRs apply to your business

If you enter into certain contracts then you do not have to provide pre-contractual information, written and additional information, nor does the right to cancel or the obligation on the supplier to carry out the contract within a maximum of 30 days apply. Instances where this is the case are

  • contracts for the supply of food, drinks or other goods for everyday consumption delivered to the consumer’s home or workplace by a regular roundsman, for example a milkman

    – but this exemption does not apply to home deliveries by supermarkets or other home delivery grocery businesses. However, in relation to the right to cancel, such businesses can often rely on some of the exceptions listed in the When customers do not have a right to cancel section
  • contracts to provide accommodation, transport, catering or leisure services (for example, hotel accommodation; plane, train, or concert tickets; car hire or sporting events), where you agree to provide the service on a specific date or within a specific period
 

Wolfie

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collybs

You are entirely correct!

That will teach me to look at the whole Regulation!:oops: Transport is NOT in the "Excepted Contract" list but IS in the "Contracts to which only part of the Regulations apply" list.:oops::oops: The parts which do not apply do indeed remove the rights I mentioned above - sorry for misinforming anyone.

For completeness, the Regulations:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2000/2334/contents/made
 

Solent&Wessex

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In summary:

An m-ticket is a different way of buying a receiving your ticket.

You can buy, seemingly, Anytime tickets as well as Advance tickets.

If you lost your paper Anytime ticket would you just walk up to the ticket office and expect to be handed another one for free?

No.

So don't loose your m-ticket either, as aside from the way it is presented, it should be treated exactly the same.
 
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