Toilets and change machines

[Bletchleyite]

At Network Rail stations it's long been the norm that if the change machine is broken the toilets are free.

I noted today and yesterday that neither Northern nor EMT follow this policy, which is very poor indeed given that retailers and the ticket office are unlikely to respond positively to requests for change.

Thoughts?

 

[Belperpete]

Where do EMT make a charge for using the toilets? At St Pancras, Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield there is no charge (although you do have to be beyond the barrier line in the latter cases).

 

[NoOnesFool]

At Network Rail stations it's long been the norm that if the change machine is broken the toilets are free.

I noted today and yesterday that neither Northern nor EMT follow this policy, which is very poor indeed given that retailers and the ticket office are unlikely to respond positively to requests for change.

Thoughts?

If there are no change machines, then just put whatever possible to cover your charge in, i.e. at Sheffield, it's 30p, so put 40p in if you can. East Midlands Trains do have change machines, but naturally these can be out of service from time to time. It's important to remember that some vending machines, especially at hospitals, don't give change anyway.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Where do EMT make a charge for using the toilets? At St Pancras, Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield there is no charge (although you do have to be beyond the barrier line in the latter cases).

Sheffield on the concourse. Though they are free on the platforms.

 

[Bletchleyite]

If there are no change machines, then just put whatever possible to cover your charge in, i.e. at Sheffield, it's 30p, so put 40p in if you can. East Midlands Trains do have change machines, but naturally these can be out of service from time to time. It's important to remember that some vending machines, especially at hospitals, don't give change anyway.

Toilets are a special case, though. Unless you’re diabetic you can’t have an urgent need for a chocolate bar.

Like Network Rail they should be free if the change machine is broken.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

An employee at Glasgow Central once told me, if the change machine isn't working, go up to the turnstile and pull it towards you so you can get in the gap then push it forward and that way you can get into the toilets for nowt.

 

[Bletchleyite]

An employee at Glasgow Central once told me, if the change machine isn't working, go up to the turnstile and pull it towards you so you can get in the gap then push it forward and that way you can get into the toilets for nowt.

Several people did. Technically a Byelaw offence, I wonder if anyone was ever prosecuted for it?

 

[Silver Cobra]

Where do EMT make a charge for using the toilets?

Skegness charges 20p to use the toilets.

 

[LowLevel]

Skegness charges 20p to use the toilets.

Though rather than being any real money making scheme that's to discourage the scummers that hang around the area from shooting up in there. The toilets are locked and available by asking the staff only after a certain time. There's a pretty significant substance abuse problem the police are attempting to get on top of centred on the railway station.

 

[Mugby]

Won't they all be free to use after Jan 1st. ?

 

[davmet]

Won't they all be free to use after Jan 1st. ?

Why would they be

 

[route101]

Seen many people jumping over the turnstiles , not much they can do !

 

[NoOnesFool]

Seen many people jumping over the turnstiles , not much they can do !

Some Revenue Officers deal with payment for use of station facilities i.e. car parks too, it would make sense to have someone occasionally overseeing the toilet barrier, I guess it depends on which TOC manages their station and how high up on their priorities it is.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Some Revenue Officers deal with payment for use of station facilities i.e. car parks too, it would make sense to have someone occasionally overseeing the toilet barrier, I guess it depends on which TOC manages their station and how high up on their priorities it is.

I suspect it isn't worth it for the bother of 20-30p, particularly if the change machine was not working. I agree with the apparent Network Rail policy (up to them going free) that if the change machine is broken they are free. I'd mind less if they accepted overpayment, but they mostly won't take more than a 20p coin so you can't put a quid in and pay for you and the next two.

 

[jon0844]

Why would they be

Network Rail is removing all barriers at its stations in March or April next year.

I wonder how it will impact the cleanliness of the stations as others who went free (Victoria for example) aren't particularly nice now.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Network Rail is removing all barriers at its stations in March or April next year.

I wonder how it will impact the cleanliness of the stations as others who went free (Victoria for example) aren't particularly nice now.

FWIW Manchester Victoria toilets are disgusting and you have to pay for those. (That was another one with a faulty change machine)

 

[route101]

Last few times at Edinburgh the toilets were free , the attendents were waving people through the gates yet some people were still paying .

 

[Bletchleyite]

One of the reasons for my stance is that insisting you still pay to enter the toilets when the change machine is not working would be like mandating card use at a card-only TVM and stating cash would not be accepted.

Charges seem to be going away, but if they were retained, accepting contactless would solve the issue. I don't fundamentally object to paying, but now I pay card for near enough everything it's rare for me to carry change.

 

[NoOnesFool]

Network Rail is removing all barriers at its stations in March or April next year.

I wonder how it will impact the cleanliness of the stations as others who went free (Victoria for example) aren't particularly nice now.

Saint Pancras toilets are always up to a gppd standard, especially considering there are only 2 sets of facilities for the whole station, however that may also be part of the reason why they are so clean.

 

[NoOnesFool]

One of the reasons for my stance is that insisting you still pay to enter the toilets when the change machine is not working would be like mandating card use at a card-only TVM and stating cash would not be accepted.

Charges seem to be going away, but if they were retained, accepting contactless would solve the issue. I don't fundamentally object to paying, but now I pay card for near enough everything it's rare for me to carry change.

Whereas I'm the opposite, I pay cash for most things. Perhaps a compromise would be to adopt a 'No Change Given' policy, like the underground TVMs use.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Whereas I'm the opposite, I pay cash for most things. Perhaps a compromise would be to adopt a 'No Change Given' policy, like the underground TVMs use.

Yes, overpayment should be allowed in my view, including acceptance of all coins. The Lake District ones are as bad - if you don't have the right change you don't get in.

Sometimes after all you need it enough that £2 would be good value.

 

[NoOnesFool]

Yes, overpayment should be allowed in my view, including acceptance of all coins. The Lake District ones are as bad - if you don't have the right change you don't get in.

Sometimes after all you need it enough that £2 would be good value.

I agree, after all, I've often gone to a cafe and bought a tea that I didn't really want, just to be able to use their toilets. Come to think of it, £2 might actually be a good enough price to deter drug users, and also allow for some luxury soap by the sinks.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I agree, after all, I've often gone to a cafe and bought a tea that I didn't really want, just to be able to use their toilets. Come to think of it, £2 might actually be a good enough price to deter drug users, and also allow for some luxury soap by the sinks.

That's the European "McClean" concept which is pricey but very pleasant.

 

[CyrusWuff]

That's the European "McClean" concept which is pricey but very pleasant.

Those generally also give you a partial reimbursement in the form of a voucher that you can spend in selected retail outlets. You also tend to get them in petrol stations and service areas on Motorways in mainland Europe.

 

[Strat-tastic]

I agree, after all, I've often gone to a cafe and bought a tea that I didn't really want, just to be able to use their toilets. Come to think of it, £2 might actually be a good enough price to deter drug users, and also allow for some luxury soap by the sinks.

For £2 I'd expect them to be called basins

 

[a_c_skinner]

ROFL.

 

[swt_passenger]

Won't they all be free to use after Jan 1st. ?

Yes, but the fairly recent announcement concerned “Network Rail” managed stations only. Probably widely misreported?

 

[Clayton]

Why would they be

They certainly should be! You wouldn’t pay in an airport or shopping centre. I generally just squeeze through for free unless a guard is there

 

[pdeaves]

Yes, but the fairly recent announcement concerned “Network Rail” managed stations only. Probably widely misreported?

Misreported, definitely. Most reports I saw said 'Network Rail owned' stations; obviously they meant 'Network Rail managed'!

 

[Belperpete]

At Sheffield, I feel it is acceptable for the concourse toilets to be charged for. Rail passengers can use the free toilets on the platforms.