Ticket Machines (handheld) 1990's-2000's

[kmc28]

Hi there!

I am looking to purchase a handheld ticket machine that would have been used in the UK in the 90's to the early 2000's.
I have been advised that PORTIS/SPORTIS machines were used at this time.
Would anyone happen to know where I could find one

Many thanks

 

[Dr Hoo]

Welcome to the Forums.

I hope that you aren’t expecting anything too ‘hand held’. The PORtable Ticket Issuing System (PORTIS) and its later Super version (SPORTIS) were quite heavy, shoulder-strapped, smaller versions of their larger, static, desktop father, APTIS.
They were even used in ‘static’ mode in some areas, as a limited-scope APTIS, mainly for suburban or local bookings.
I have never been aware of any being on sale, as ‘dead’ relics.
But, “best of luck”.

 

[Russel]

I seem to recall Central Trains using a type that printed tickets onto paper receipt roll with the orange top and bottom banners rather than the traditional card type tickets.

 

[kmc28]

Hi Dr Hoo and Russel,
Thank you so much for your responses! The shoulder strapped machines are exactly what I'm after - apologies, I did not explain that too well. Do you know where I could find a ticket machine like you both have described?

 

[thenorthern]

They occasionally come up for sale on railway memorabilia websites. I haven't seen one for a few years though.

I seem to recall Central Trains using a type that printed tickets onto paper receipt roll with the orange top and bottom banners rather than the traditional card type tickets.

I remember them with Central Trains as well. They often seemed to charge the wrong fare for the journey and I regularly used to have to complain to Central Trains in order to get my money back.

 

[kmc28]

I see! Do you recall the Avantix Mobile portable machine that was introduced in 2002?

 

[Russel]

I remember them with Central Trains as well. They often seemed to charge the wrong fare for the journey and I regularly used to have to complain to Central Trains in order to get my money back.

I don't recall ever being charged the wrong fare, but I'd only ever be buying Tamworth - New Street returns so if it was a few pence out either way I'd probably not notice.

This is bringing back memories of Regional Railwasy liveried single 153s on the Birmingham to Nottingham service!

 

[The exile]

I seem to recall Central Trains using a type that printed tickets onto paper receipt roll with the orange top and bottom banners rather than the traditional card type tickets.

That sounds like PORTIS - which I believe first saw use on the Severn Beach line.

 

[WirralLine]

I've seen them for sale on Ebay (not working) in the past but not for some time. Funnily enough colleagues were talking about the SPORTIS machines in the messroom today! Something to do with a big fare book you'd have to look through to find the right code for the less common places.

 

[basfordlad]

I knew someone when I worked for Central trains that got hold of an aptis and made quite a bit of money selling tickets at discounted rates.

 

[Dr Hoo]

I knew someone when I worked for Central trains that got hold of an aptis and made quite a bit of money selling tickets at discounted rates.

!!! Quite a sophisticated fraud in terms of daily polling, Window Personality Cartridge and the remarkable range of bespoke ticket stock for hopper feed, etc.
Obviously an ‘inside job’.

 

[basfordlad]

!!! Quite a sophisticated fraud in terms of daily polling, Window Personality Cartridge and the remarkable range of bespoke ticket stock for hopper feed, etc.
Obviously an ‘inside job’.

It was back in the late 1990s . Yes the person used to work for CT. They never got caught for the time they did it from what i remember. No idea how long it went on for. But all history now

 

[Russel]

It was back in the late 1990s . Yes the person used to work for CT. They never got caught for the time they did it from what i remember. No idea how long it went on for. But all history now

Almost certainly easier to get away with in the 90's.

I'd imagine it would be picked up on pretty quickly now.

 

[basfordlad]

Almost certainly easier to get away with in the 90's.

I'd imagine it would be picked up on pretty quickly now.

In those days the aptis machine didn't dial through for authorisation for any card. So they just went through and no barriers etc. So yes all changed now

 

[Ashley Hill]

There’s a Sportis in the Exe estuary at Starcross. A passenger went to hit the guard,he in turn swung the machine at the passenger who grabbed it and threw it in the river. AFAIK it was never recovered.

 

[kmc28]

I knew someone when I worked for Central trains that got hold of an aptis and made quite a bit of money selling tickets at discounted rates.

Do you know if this person would be willing to sell me the machine? It is for a film production

 

[basfordlad]

Do you know if this person would be willing to sell me the machine? It is for a film production

I haven't spoken to this person for over 20 years

 

[kmc28]

haha no worries at all! If you happen to come across one, please could you let me know?