Why is Merseyrail so heavily staffed?

[En]

don’t see the point of digital tickets myself especially on the Merseyrail network. And going to collect your online ticket from a ticket machine just seems counter intuitive. Why not just buy a ticket there??

1. ticket machine optimised to local 'on demand' travel ( into 'town ' and back or daily / weekly pass ) and if appropriate topping up your local travel smart card
2. people don't have a (magstripe capable) printer at home to print physical tickets for longer journey ( and the seat reservation chits etc )

 

[sprunt]

And going to collect your online ticket from a ticket machine just seems counter intuitive. Why not just buy a ticket there??

Because your ticket might not be just for travel on the Merseyrail network, but is an Advance involving an inter-city leg that it made sense to purchase some weeks ago? Seems perfectly intuitive to me, given that it's something I've frequently done on non-Merseyrail services. Of course, if Merseyrail joined the rest of us in the 21st century it could just be fulfilled as an e-ticket, but in the absence of that there's absolutely no reason why ToD facilities shouldn't be provided.

 

[WarrenT]

That's not my point. I know a few people who choose to buy their ticket online even though they're only travelling on Merseyrail.

 

[Red Rover]

Anyone who claims to be the gatekeeper or custodian of taxpayers money and think by closing ticket offices will enhance their lives elsewhere are highly deluded, a staffed railway station is a community asset and that’s all there is to it.
Add to the fact it would become the wild west in some parts in less than a week and you’d also by de staffing stations create some of the busiest unstaffed stations in the UK.
That’s hardly progression, add to the fact if smart card comes through (trios?) how will it be checked and sold correctly? Barriers? That’ll cost millions so a higher penalty fare in one of the countries most deprived areas? Good luck.