Independent ticket retailers at stations

[geoffk]

I'm aware that there has been a previous thread on this subject, now closed, but with closure of TOC-run station ticket offices now on the agenda, it might be worth summarising which independent retailers are selling tickets and whether there is scope for an expansion of this service.

I'm aware that Gobowen and Ledbury stations still have independent ticket retailers but that Chester-le-Track ceased operations some time ago. My (probably out of date) list includes Whitby, Ludlow, St Ives, Llandrindod Wells, Bishop Auckland, Bargoed, Pembrey & Burry Port and Millom.

 

[ainsworth74]

I was at Bishop Auckland a month or so ago and that ticket office was alive and kicking and seemed to have lots of staff! I believe Whitby is still around as well but haven't been able to verify that myself for a while.

 

[DanNCL]

Eaglescliffe ticket office survived the closure of Chester-le-Track and became managed by Grand Central, I believe they still operate it to this day. Not independent as such but would be immune to any DFT-imposed ticket office closures. Sadly the ticket office at Chester-le-Street didn't survive, and the space is now used by a cafe.

 

[Haywain]

whether there is scope for an expansion of this service.

There is probably always scope for expansion of this nature, but independent ticket offices will face the same challenges as TOC operated offices, but without the benefits of being subsidised, having a much larger pool of staff from which to draw to cover sickness and holidays, and the general administration duties. If there was a profit to be made and TOCs were not interested I would expect an organisation such as Trainline to be all over it. I think Chester-le-Track did quite well as an independent retailer when buying on the web was much less common than it is now, and I think Whitby is operated by the NYMR with National Rail tickets very much a secondary part of their business.

 

[Bletchleyite]

that Chester-le-Track ceased operations some time ago

I can't help but think thank goodness for that. Their main business was probably better summarised as "Chester-le-Squat", i.e. buying up railway related domains that had an obvious "real" owner and selling them for a fat profit. Debatably legal, but highly disreputable.

 

[Deafdoggie]

I can't help but think thank goodness for that. Their main business was probably better summarised as "Chester-le-Squat", i.e. buying up railway related domains that had an obvious "real" owner and selling them for a fat profit. Debatably legal, but highly disreputable.

What did happen to all those domains when they ceased trading?

 

[ainsworth74]

I can't help but think thank goodness for that. Their main business was probably better summarised as "Chester-le-Squat", i.e. buying up railway related domains that had an obvious "real" owner and selling them for a fat profit. Debatably legal, but highly disreputable.

The worst offender, in my opinion, Nationalrail.com still appears to be up and running and if you dig far enough it says that:

Formerly managed from Chester-le-Street station, the online business is now operated by National Rail Bishop Auckland Ltd based in County Durham.

So whilst Chester-le-Track is no more it would appear that they are maintaining an online presence.

 

[Bletchleyite]

What did happen to all those domains when they ceased trading?

They resold them, they didn't manage them, so they will have remained active.