Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2016 20:48:48 GMT
Having taken a closer look at the new Crossrail ticket hall in Farringdon (which has a notice on it stating it is operated by TFL), I have noticed that the ticket machines are no longer embedded in the wall, but are serviced from the front, as in the olden days.
Why did they revert to front opening ticket machines? - I thought the wall embedded ticket machines were an innovative new technology introduced around 1990, whereby staff can service the machines from a safe area behind the wall.
It does not quite make sense to revert to yesteryears technology in the newest ticket halls operated by TFL...
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Post by rsdworker on Dec 2, 2016 6:15:08 GMT
the machines like that are found most in Natianal rail stations where they dont be have be in wall
the new machines that installed in ticket halls are free standing can be easily moved from location to location
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Post by stapler on Dec 2, 2016 8:27:06 GMT
I wonder if another factor is that the machines now contain relatively little cash, because so many transactions on them are now by plastic? So staff may be safer given that a thief's haul would be lower.
It was a quite a shock to see someone at Stratford the other week feeding a machine with £10 notes.
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Post by snoggle on Dec 13, 2016 0:35:10 GMT
Looking at the NR website and Farringdon's station plan it looks like LU has inherited TOC equipment. I hadn't appreciated that LU had taken over the new ticket hall as it was previously run by Thameslink / FCC I think. It's not the only instance where LU has had to take on TOC equipment including front serviced / accessed ticket machines. Kew Gardens, Gunnersbury and the north bit of the Bakerloo are all similar. I can't imagine LU staff are that pleased at having to deal with cash servicing at front access machines given that security was a major issue in UTS creating secure suites and rear serviced machines back in the 80s. Obviously life has moved on and the volume of cash taken for singles, returns and day tickets will be very much lower now than in years past because of PAYG. Nonetheless there are still non Oyster destinations from Farringdon and the potential for expensive season ticket sales. I suspect staff have had little choice than to accept what has been inherited from the former TOC and LU is in no position to create new enclosures and install rear serviced machines. Bizarrely it looks like that ticket office, in the new hall, is still open (based on the NR site info)! I assume because it is covered by the old closure provisions applicable on National Rail and not the "we do what we like" provisions on Mayoral controlled TfL.
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Post by MoreToJack on Dec 13, 2016 1:41:12 GMT
Many of the concerns in existence at the time of UTS development are still true today. Although paper ticket sales are in decline those on Oyster are not, and many still top up or purchase monthly seasons with cash.
It's not unknown to be be removing upwards of £5,000 from a multifare machine multiple times on busy days. I'd be very concerned at having to do that (and likewise having to float a large amount of coin) on a forward facing machine. Certainly my sources suggest that the new LU ticketing machines - and those used on Crossrail - will continue to be rear-serviced.
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Post by norbitonflyer on Dec 13, 2016 6:06:06 GMT
I hadn't appreciated that LU had taken over the new ticket hall as it was previously run by Thameslink / FCC I think. . I thought that the stations on the Widenened Lines, including Farringdon, were always owned and run by London Transport (and previously by the Metropolitan Railway), even though the track is now owned by Network Rail. |
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Rich32
Staff Emeritus
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Post by Rich32 on Dec 13, 2016 8:24:19 GMT
Whilst the whole station is owned by TfL, the NR ticket office and machines are managed by the TOC, not by LU, hence the different machines and open ticket office.
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Post by crusty54 on Dec 13, 2016 10:05:55 GMT
Having taken a closer look at the new Crossrail ticket hall in Farringdon (which has a notice on it stating it is operated by TFL), I have noticed that the ticket machines are no longer embedded in the wall, but are serviced from the front, as in the olden days. Why did they revert to front opening ticket machines? - I thought the wall embedded ticket machines were an innovative new technology introduced around 1990, whereby staff can service the machines from a safe area behind the wall. It does not quite make sense to revert to yesteryears technology in the newest ticket halls operated by TFL... Do you mean the Thameslink ticket hall? (Opposite the Underground entrance) The Crossrail entrance is still being built to the west of it. I was told recently that the suburban Crossrail stations to the east will be getting new ticket machines from a different manufacturer. Having been there when one of the old ones got moved from Stratford to Manor Park I can confirm that the insides are almost pre-historic. |
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Post by snoggle on Dec 13, 2016 16:20:44 GMT
Whilst the whole station is owned by TfL, the NR ticket office and machines are managed by the TOC, not by LU, hence the different machines and open ticket office. Interesting - the National Rail website seems completely unaware of the distinction and says LU manages the *entire* station. |
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Post by crusty54 on Dec 13, 2016 19:19:59 GMT
Whilst the whole station is owned by TfL, the NR ticket office and machines are managed by the TOC, not by LU, hence the different machines and open ticket office. Interesting - the National Rail website seems completely unaware of the distinction and says LU manages the *entire* station. same situation as Stratford which has 2 TfL Rail ticket offices and platform staff. |
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