Buying train tickets with cash

ctbfc

Rosemary7391 wrote: »

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if this is possible... I'd like to stop carrying my credit/debit card around all the time, but still get a train. It's about a 10 minute journey and at the times I travel there is no ticket office either end, just a machine that only takes cards. Apart from walking up the train to find the conductor (and I'm not even sure I'd have enough time to do that), does anyone else have any other ideas? They do make it difficult to buy tickets at times!

Thanks,
Rosemary

I wouldn't worry about not getting a ticket. You can only buy one if there is an opportunity to do so - which there isn't as Scotrail don't deem it worth their while to install a machine that accepts cash. (Although just to be clear you MUST buy one if there is a machine that accepts your payment method or an open ticket office)

If the guard comes round you pay your fare if not then you get a free ride. No need for you to plan journeys in advance, book online etc for short journeys.

Rosemary7391

ctbfc wrote: »

I wouldn't worry about not getting a ticket. You can only buy one if there is an opportunity to do so - which there isn't as Scotrail don't deem it worth their while to install a machine that accepts cash. (Although just to be clear you MUST buy one if there is a machine that accepts your payment method or an open ticket office)

If the guard comes round you pay your fare if not then you get a free ride. No need for you to plan journeys in advance, book online etc for short journeys.

Yeah, aware that's an option, but I like paying for things I use!

ctbfc

Rosemary7391 wrote: »

Yeah, aware that's an option, but I like paying for things I use!

Yes and full credit to you, it's good to see.

We've all seen the threads here and on another forum where people are being prosecuted for genuinely trying to dodge the fare for one reason or another.

Rosemary7391

Voyager2002 wrote: »

Would you like to say something about your sig line?

I think I understand the Spanish (is the last phrase in the imperfect subjunctive?) but why did you choose that set of words to represent yourself? Do you think the sentiment applies to most people in Scotland?

Just seen this - I'm not Scottish, it's for me. Will PM you!

NBLondon

Rosemary7391 wrote: »

Thanks - I'm not worried about fraud or anything like that, it's not even budgeting per se, I'm trying to lose weight so want to not be able to buy coffee and snacks when I'm out.

So you plan to only have enough cash for your train ticket (and whatever else you are doing that day)? So if you follow ctbfc's advice and don't see the conductor you might be so out of control that you'll blow the whole £1.40 on Mars Bars and Irn Bru? And if you order your tickets in advance and something goes wrong with your day - you'll have no money apart from your train fare home?


Why not go about it the MSE way... 1) Buy a carrot 2) Chop it up and put it in your handbag. 3) Buy the tickets with a card that gives cashback. 4) Put the card in the bottom of your bag under the carrot. When you get a snack urge - you have to find the carrot before you can get the card out. 5) Eat the carrot instead.


Good Luck :-)

Rosemary7391

NBLondon wrote: »

So you plan to only have enough cash for your train ticket (and whatever else you are doing that day)? So if you follow ctbfc's advice and don't see the conductor you might be so out of control that you'll blow the whole £1.40 on Mars Bars and Irn Bru? And if you order your tickets in advance and something goes wrong with your day - you'll have no money apart from your train fare home?


Why not go about it the MSE way... 1) Buy a carrot 2) Chop it up and put it in your handbag. 3) Buy the tickets with a card that gives cashback. 4) Put the card in the bottom of your bag under the carrot. When you get a snack urge - you have to find the carrot before you can get the card out. 5) Eat the carrot instead.


Good Luck :-)

It really doesn't work like that, but thanks for trying. I don't spend money I need for other things, particularly not imminently, it definitely is not a budgeting problem. I see no problem in going out without money - the worst that could happen is I have to go home and get it, surely? And I'm not talking about being so far from home that walking would be an impossibility.