New Ticket Design Launched

[Solent&Wessex]

Another variation is that some TVMs now seem to be printing station names in capital letters.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Saw one yesterday with bits of 'print' missing, as if the printer was not working properly, unfortunately I couldn't get a shot of it as the passenger would have missed their train. The small print was a little difficult to make out (and I knew what it should say!)

 

[Hassocks5489]

Well, I wasn't expecting to see this so soon ... I've seen a "new layout" ticket from a Cubic FasTIS machine. Issued on 18th February 2015 from machine 0371 at Willesden Junction. Layout broadly the same as on the Northern Parkeon trial. Will do a scan later.

 

[sheff1]

Today I collected a whole raft of tickets from Sheffield. They all printed with the new design expect for the two First Class with Breakfast ones which printed in the old style and with separate reservation coupons (other journeys were included within the same collection codes and were new design). I had assumed any given machine would print all tickets in the same style.

 

[jon0844]

Another variation is that some TVMs now seem to be printing station names in capital letters.

Surely all this stuff would be standardised and agreed on by now?

I mean, I'd love to think all these TVMs were connected and regularly updated so you could tweak things almost on a real time basis if necessary, but it's not quite like that in reality is it?

 

[JaJaWa]

Another variation is that some TVMs now seem to be printing station names in capital letters.

I hope this isn't intentional. I find mixed-case much clearer.

 

[bb21]

Today I collected a whole raft of tickets from Sheffield. They all printed with the new design expect for the two First Class with Breakfast ones which printed in the old style and with separate reservation coupons (other journeys were included within the same collection codes and were new design). I had assumed any given machine would print all tickets in the same style.

No, only some ticket types have transferred over to the new style, while others, eg. Travelcard, still remain in the old layout.

I think they are rolling the new style out gradually, which isn't a bad idea imo.

 

[trentside]

Saw one yesterday with bits of 'print' missing, as if the printer was not working properly, unfortunately I couldn't get a shot of it as the passenger would have missed their train. The small print was a little difficult to make out (and I knew what it should say!)

I've noticed a big problem with these tickets when the 'print' goes streaky is that it renders most of the information virtually unreadable. I attempted an excess on one the other day, the ticket number was almost illegible. Many of my colleagues don't even know which is the ticket number now.

 

[RJ]

My first one in the new format, collected from the ToDler TVM at Loughborough Student's Union;

 

[jon0844]

Why not set the kerning to -20 at the same time.

 

[Hassocks5489]

Scan of Cubic FasTIS example as promised.

I think this looks a lot better and more readable than the Northern Parkeon examples. The font and layout are more suitable. (Agree with the point above about kerning.)

 

[bb21]

I hope no one objects but I have borrowed these last two pictures from this thread for our Ticket Gallery.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I wonder will the new design cause there to be more refund applications? I bet most people presently don't know walk-up tickets are refundable less £10.

Neil

 

[jon0844]

Scan of Cubic FasTIS example as promised.

I think this looks a lot better and more readable than the Northern Parkeon examples. The font and layout are more suitable. (Agree with the point above about kerning.)

That looks pretty decent. Best example I've seen so far.

 

[Deerfold]

Would it make sense for tickets for under £10 to not say they're refundable? Might save some annoyance.

 

[jon0844]

But technically they are, it's just you might end up paying money!

Hell, a TVM would (or maybe still does) still sell you a Network Railcard discounted ticket for £13 even if the ticket costs less without the discount.

Let people get ripped off - it's the railway!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Hell, a TVM would (or maybe still does) still sell you a Network Railcard discounted ticket for £13 even if the ticket costs less without the discount.

You might actually want that if, for example, you want to use discounted child tickets in conjunction with it, just as you might want a "capped up" YP ticket in order to use VT's peak derestriction before 10am. LM's TVMs do warn you with a popup, though, to make sure you did want it.

Neil

 

[jon0844]

A warning would be good. When I tried some years ago, there was no warning, it just made the ticket £13.

 

[ADRboy]

Really like the new design of ticket. Especially the restrictions link to National Rail, will save so much hassle.

 

[PermitToTravel]

The "refundable and exchangeable" message directly contradicts some unofficial signage hung at certain booking offices proclaiming that certain types of ticket cannot be refunded.

 

[jon0844]

Wow, that's a shock. People being given mixed messages and sometimes (albeit in extreme cases) totally lied to!

 

[causton]

The "refundable and exchangeable" message directly contradicts some unofficial signage hung at certain booking offices proclaiming that certain types of ticket cannot be refunded.

Same as certain ticket offices that won't sell certain types of tickets am I surprised? No. There are a lot of people in the industry who make up their own rules and while they are in charge/in work, they will unfortunately spread their lies and it will keep going on. Me? I keep quiet and don't break the TSA

 

[Starmill]

Wow, that's a shock. People being given mixed messages and sometimes (albeit in extreme cases) totally lied to!

You're surprised!? This is The Railway after all!

 

[suzanneparis]

I think the ticket I bought yesterday was the new format. It had my destination on it and then listed my seat reservation below. All on the face of the ticket.

Quite useful.

 

[Mojo]

Really like the new design of ticket. Especially the restrictions link to National Rail, will save so much hassle.

If only the staff believe it. I have been told one or more of the following by staff of various Tocs: -

a) They are not part of National Rail
b) The National Rail website is wrong
c) Only information on that Toc's website is correct
d) The National Rail website does not apply to them, you have to check on the Toc's website

 

[infobleep]

If only the staff believe it. I have been told one or more of the following by staff of various Tocs: -

a) They are not part of National Rail
b) The National Rail website is wrong
c) Only information on that Toc's website is correct
d) The National Rail website does not apply to them, you have to check on the Toc's website

Well during emergency timetables due to lack folios last year I was told not to trust the live online departure boards on National Rail Enquiries. In this case, they had a point.

National Rail Enquiries is not gospel all the time but near is it to be dismissed out of hand.

 

[Starmill]

National Rail Enquiries is not gospel all the time but near is it to be dismissed out of hand.

If National Rail Enquiries, "the definitive source of customer information for all passenger rail services on the National Rail network in England, Wales and Scotland" cannot be trusted, then it would seem no source can.

 

[infobleep]

If National Rail Enquiries, "the definitive source of customer information for all passenger rail services on the National Rail network in England, Wales and Scotland" cannot be trusted, then it would seem no source can.

It's only as good as the information entered into it. So it's possible that another Web Site might have better information if something was incorrectly keyed in or miss out.

For example South West Trains Journey Check Web Site often gives more details on disruption and the causes of it than National Rail Enquiries does. Which is more authoritative? I'd argue the South West Trains Journey Check Web Site. That tells you which trains are shirt formed. The National Rail Enquiries Web Site doesn't.

 

[ainsworth74]

It's only as good as the information entered into it. So it's possible that another Web Site might have better information if something was incorrectly keyed in or miss out.

I think the point is that, for ticketing/routeing matters, it is the definitive source of information according to ATOC (and the website itself). So staff shouldn't be dismissing it out of hand and saying it's wrong/they disagree/it doesn't apply to them. Actual train running information might be incorrect and it might be better to refer to other sources.

 

[infobleep]

I think the point is that, for ticketing/routeing matters, it is the definitive source of information according to ATOC (and the website itself). So staff shouldn't be dismissing it out of hand and saying it's wrong/they disagree/it doesn't apply to them. Actual train running information might be incorrect and it might be better to refer to other sources.

I would argue the definitive source is the routing guide and related documents. I'm not sure why they don't put those o the National Rail Enquiries Web Site. Make them more prominent.