02.01.15
Ticket machines to get new warning label
The new deal between train operators for ticket machines to make passengers aware of cheaper fares amounts to little more than a new sticker for the machines, RTM has learned.
Promoted as a new code of practice that will see self-service ticket machines make passengers aware when the ticket they want to purchase is available cheaper elsewhere, the arrangement will actually just see a new warning label affixed to the ticket machines telling passengers that cheaper fares may be available at ticket offices.
Rail minister Claire Perry MP pushed for the agreement following research showing how self-service ticket machines — which are used to buy almost a quarter of all tickets – offer wildly different fares, making some journeys £100 more expensive than they need to be.
A Telegraph investigation found, for example, that at machines run by Northern Rail in Leeds, passengers buying a first-class Anytime Return to Birmingham were charged £27, but at the same station an East Coast machine offered the same journey using a first-class Off-peak Return for £145.70.
The rail minister called a summit of representatives across the rail industry, held last month, which saw an agreement in principle to a new code of practice, which has yet to be drafted.
The code, which is to take effect from March, will be overseen by the Office of Rail Regulation and will see ticket machines clearly labelled to inform passengers that cheaper tickets for some journeys may be available.
Perry said: "I am absolutely determined that passengers should get the best possible deal for every journey. There is no excuse for poor quality information, restricted ticket choice or confusing screen directions at ticket machines.
"I welcome the fact that the industry has responded to the challenge with some positive actions which will be rolled out by next March. However one summit is not the end of our discussions. I will be closely monitoring progress and I will not hesitate to hold the industry to account if improvements are not made."
However while the deal is being billed as a victory for passengers, a spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group admitted to RTM it amounted to little more than a new label for the machines
The spokesperson said: “As it currently stands, between now and March operators will be ensuring that self-service ticket machines are labelled to let passengers know that they could potentially buy cheaper tickets at the ticket office. As far as I am aware there is no commitment yet to make changes across all machines to have that detail provided for individual tickets.”
The announcement came on the eve of the rise in rail fares, which take effect today. The average rise, at 2.2%, is the lowest for five years. Regulated fares, which this year were pegged to July's measure of Retail Price inflation (RPI) rather than capped at RPI plus 1%, rose by 2.5%.
(Image: c. Yui Mok/PA Wire)
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