TICKET MACHINES NO LONGER OFFERING THE CHEAPEST TRAIN TICKETS

jaizan

The ticket machines at Milton Keynes station no longer offer the cheapest Super Off Peak Day Return tickets to Euston.

These used to be available at the machines, but now you either need to go to the counter or buy online.      If you go to the machine, all you are offered is a slightly more expensive ticket.   So that looks like a deliberate change.

Of course, I don't always want to queue to buy a ticket.    Also, the ticket counter is not open all day. 

Which whom should I take this up ?

MilesT6060842

Complain to the Train Operating company (TOC) that manages the station/machines (info on National Rail enquired website). IN some cases this will be network rail (although the machines are usually provided by a TOC). Also write a letter to the station manager (hand in over the counter)

If that doesn't work, then name and shame via twitter, facebook, local media, nextdoor, etc.  Maybe publish a video on YouTube, showing the machine and then the counter (don't include staff member in the video/audio)

Also contact your local transport users group (will need some searching, although there may be a poster somewhere on the station)

es5595

Were you trying to buy the ticket at a time when it wasn’t valid? 

I know (at one point, no idea now!) our local machines didn’t let you purchase an off-peak until almost off-peak time. 

martindow

Yes, at my local station off peak tickets are valid from 9.30.  Ticket machines at say 9.15 don't offer these tickets unless you drill down into the options to buy a ticket for a later time.

MilesT6060842

martindow said:

Yes, at my local station off peak tickets are valid from 9.30.  Ticket machines at say 9.15 don't offer these tickets unless you drill down into the options to buy a ticket for a later time.

I think it is quite common for machines to not sell off peak tickets until after last peak train has departed/close to the first off peak.  Not all machines allow purchase for future travel, I think it varies by the Train Operating company that installed the machine--Network rail in some cases--and the option is a bit buried even for machines that do offer it, as is the option for "tickets starting from another station.  However, almost all machines will allow collection of a ticket purchased online from a few minutes after purchase, even if the collection station is nominated as somewhere else, this is a useful workaround.