Void Tickets from Machines

[Stompa]

I collected a return ticket (ordered online) from a station machine a few days ago. I was expecting outward & return tickets along with a collection receipt. But, in addition it served up 3 extra ticket blanks each marked "VOID VOID VOID VOID".

Just curious, but what's that all about? Some sort of machine error?

 

[trc666]

I would expect it to just be an error with the machine, might be worth reporting it to the TOC that owns it just in case. Did it print your tickets correctly?

 

[Stompa]

I would expect it to just be an error with the machine, might be worth reporting it to the TOC that owns it just in case. Did it print your tickets correctly?

Thanks, yes the tickets were printed correctly. I had to buy a railcard immediately after collecting these tickets, so mentioned it to the chap there, but he seemed totally disinterested.

 

[trentside]

I would expect it to just be an error with the machine, might be worth reporting it to the TOC that owns it just in case. Did it print your tickets correctly?

Probably not even an error with the machine. TVMs and ticket printers will often void tickets where it cannot encode the magnetic strip, or where the magnetic strip is damaged somehow. If a machine was doing it persistently, it would be cause for concern, but as a one off it's nothing to worry about.

 

[Stompa]

TVMs and ticket printers will often void tickets where it cannot encode the magnetic strip, or where the magnetic strip is damaged somehow.

Ah I had wondered about that possibility, thanks.

 

[philjo]

There was one FCC machine I used last month that seemed to be issuing at least 3 void blank tickets with every set of tickets printed - there was a trail of them on the floor by the machine as people were discarding them. It seems to be fixed as I didn't get any void tickets from it last week.

 

[jon0844]

They (FCC) should issue them as carnet tickets. You'd probably get less hassle with those than the actual tickets...