Hereford Ticket Office?

[WestCoast]

I was at Hereford station today, expecting the ticket office to be open as per published times, only to find it closed with auto-barriers left open. Only one machine present to sell tickets.

There were staff for dispatching duties milling around - but no ticket office. I know this station is operated by ATW, but considering London Midland operate penalty fares from the station it seemed quite poor.

 

[ChrisTheRef]

Any number of things could have caused this. If nobody is available to cover the ticket clerk's PNB, then it may well have been shut for just a short period.

 

[323235]

You would expect London Midland Control to be made aware of the unplanned closure so that there RPI's can be informed of the fact so that Penalty Fares are not issued in situations for example where the ticket a person wanted was not available to buy, as per the Penalty Fare Regulations.

 

[SickyNicky]

You would expect London Midland Control to be made aware of the unplanned closure so that there RPI's can be informed of the fact so that Penalty Fares are not issued in situations for example where the ticket a person wanted was not available to buy, as per the Penalty Fare Regulations.

I have seen this a few times at Hereford - but they always leave the barriers open if it's unmanned. Later in the evening, they open up the side gate and close the main entrance so you can't even get to the ticket machine.

Having commuted on the line for many years, I have boarded LM trains without tickets many times (due to closed ticket offices, no/faulty machines etc), and there has never been a problem. I do find the guards on that route are generally friendly and helpful.

 

[WestCoast]

Any number of things could have caused this. If nobody is available to cover the ticket clerk's PNB, then it may well have been shut for just a short period

The situation existed for more than "a short period", it was closed at 11:35 when I left the station and remained closed when I returned at 13:30.

I could understand this thing occurring at a lower-use station, but I've never seen this happen at a station which attracts more than 1 million passengers a year and has despatch staff.

For a station of that useage, one machine doesn't seem adequate.

 

[Techniquest]

Indeed it isn't enough. You may have noticed the ticket office is undergoing a VERY overdue renovation at the moment, with a temporary ticket office outside the main building. However, if this too was closed then I concur it's not very good, although there must have been a good reason for it.

Hope you enjoyed your travels on my usual stomping ground

 

[RJ]

Having commuted on the line for many years, I have boarded LM trains without tickets many times (due to closed ticket offices, no/faulty machines etc), and there has never been a problem. I do find the guards on that route are generally friendly and helpful.

I went there once on a service from Brum. Went into tthe loo a minute or so prior to arrival. Before I could even do anything, the guard started banging on the door asking why I went in there just before the last stop. He then banged it harder and the door burst open. That's no way to treat customers.

I got on the same train going back. Before we even left Hereford, the guard came steaming down the train asking to see my ticket. Once he realised what the situation was, the colour drained from his face and he tried to have a normal conversation with me. Awful customer service.

 

[WestCoast]

Indeed it isn't enough. You may have noticed the ticket office is undergoing a VERY overdue renovation at the moment, with a temporary ticket office outside the main building. However, if this too was closed then I concur it's not very good, although there must have been a good reason for it.

Hope you enjoyed your travels on my usual stomping ground

Yes, I noticed the tempoary ticket office and there was no-one there in the morning. However, I didn't check that on the way back, so it may well have been open.

Worcester - Hereford is a very pleasant little route though, despite the short delay waiting for the single line near Ledbury. Hereford station was nice as well (well, the temporary gents loos were a little grotty but that's renovation for you).

 

[Aictos]

I could understand this thing occurring at a lower-use station, but I've never seen this happen at a station which attracts more than 1 million passengers a year and has despatch staff.

For a station of that useage, one machine doesn't seem adequate.

You've never been to Hertford North then, it's a regular thing there on Sundays, the only way to get a ticket is from the TVMs that is of course if they work properly.

Of course there are meant to be staff available when Arsenal play at home on Sundays but that's a rarity as well.

I can't remember the last time ticket checks were done there!

 

[allticketspls]

You've never been to Hertford North then, it's a regular thing there on Sundays, the only way to get a ticket is from the TVMs that is of course if they work properly.

Of course there are meant to be staff available when Arsenal play at home on Sundays but that's a rarity as well.

I can't remember the last time ticket checks were done there!

Has HFN really got that bad? I guess they are more interested in FPK now the barriers are in.

 

[WestCoast]

You've never been to Hertford North then, it's a regular thing there on Sundays, the only way to get a ticket is from the TVMs that is of course if they work properly.

Of course there are meant to be staff available when Arsenal play at home on Sundays but that's a rarity as well.

I can't remember the last time ticket checks were done there!

That doesn't sound good at all, but at least there are a few TVMs! I can think of a few stations that I use regularly that would be stuffed as they don't have any TVMs - but you can still buy on board.

 

[Techniquest]

Yes, I noticed the tempoary ticket office and there was no-one there in the morning. However, I didn't check that on the way back, so it may well have been open.

Worcester - Hereford is a very pleasant little route though, despite the short delay waiting for the single line near Ledbury. Hereford station was nice as well (well, the temporary gents loos were a little grotty but that's renovation for you).

Aye, those lavatories have been under renovation for the last few weeks. Hopefully they'll be finished soon!

The route is pleasant indeed, some lovely views of the Malvern Hills can be had from on board any train on the route. It is a nice station at Hereford, so much nicer than Preston (which I'm sure you'd agree with, since your location is Lancashire)!

 

[WestCoast]

It is a nice station at Hereford, so much nicer than Preston (which I'm sure you'd agree with, since your location is Lancashire)!

No, I couldn't argue with that, but Preston has one major advantage, a large ticket office that remains open. A freshen up would have the place looking great

I think Shrewsbury is probably a fairer comparison...

 

[trainophile]

I was at Hereford station yesterday too (I live here!). We should have badges so that we can identify other forum members.

About a month ago the chap in the temporary office told me that the refurbed one had been meant to re-open months ago, but there has been delay after delay. I hope it's worth it when it does re-open!

I also hope they don't close the Ladies loo on the northbound platform for too long, although it could definitely do with a spruce up, as I'd have to go over the bridge and they are even grottier over there!

 

[Aictos]

Has HFN really got that bad? I guess they are more interested in FPK now the barriers are in.

The only person still rostered there who the regulars still see is Barry, I've never came across anyone working the barriers as it's all about Finsbury Park, Welwyn GC, Stevenage, Hitchin, Kings Cross and the onboard ticket checks when they're done.

It's frustrating when I can't ask anyone from revenue like in the old days who were on the barriers if a certain ticket was valid now it's a case of ringing up a random ticket office normally Stevenage and asking them.

The gates have never been in the closed position since the first week or so of December 2010 when the regular staff were told not to worry because Hitchin would soon take over,

 

[allticketspls]

Sounds like I got out just in time

 

[Techniquest]

I was at Hereford station yesterday too (I live here!). We should have badges so that we can identify other forum members.

About a month ago the chap in the temporary office told me that the refurbed one had been meant to re-open months ago, but there has been delay after delay. I hope it's worth it when it does re-open!

I also hope they don't close the Ladies loo on the northbound platform for too long, although it could definitely do with a spruce up, as I'd have to go over the bridge and they are even grottier over there!

Nice to have a local member on these forums trainophile! I'm not in Hereford itself, but it's my most easily accessible station from where I am.

As for the delays at the ticket office, I've heard the delays have been caused by planning permission-related things, although what those things are I don't know. What they've done so far does look a lot tidier, indeed there's cushioning of some sort on the benches in the ticket office now! Another TVM would be really helpful, as when that goes wrong the queue at the ticket office goes maddeningly long! Was quite funky a few weeks ago when the ticket office was completely shut for a couple of days, meaning access was through the former Red Star section!

One thing they do really need to put in though are lifts, it seems crazy to have to either struggle up the footbridge with luggage or rely on the barrow crossing at an important interchange station in the 21st Century.

Shrewsbury would be a fairer comparison, true. Don't know what it is with Shrewsbury, I just don't like that station.