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Post by shrewder on Jun 20, 2022 9:05:38 GMT 1
Unfortunately although very anti too much on line booking, I accept that you can't go against the tide and will just have to get on with it.
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Post by staffordshrew on Jun 20, 2022 9:06:18 GMT 1
Close the ticket offices, make everyone apply for their jobs, minimal pay rises, heading for a railway system that seems to be even worse for the customer. Yet still the Government don't call in the respective parties to negotiate and ensure the public get a railway that befits a country that needs an excellent public transport system?
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Post by davycrockett on Jun 20, 2022 9:07:02 GMT 1
Don’t remind me about the Runcorn bridges - £44 on a round trip if you forget to go online quickly enough! What have they done to my home town? I forgot to pay a couple of years ago when we went up to the Liverpool replay. However when I forgot to pay the Dart Charge a couple of weeks back and got a £35 charge I was amazed when they only charged me for the crossing and waived the excess. It was a genuine mistake and they know that in most cases it is, so the first charge is waived and used as a warning for next time. You were lucky. If you enter the low emission zone inadvertently (anywhere inside the M25) in the wrong vehicle first ‘reminder’ £500…. Your supposed to pay the £100 charge… no first offence genuine mistake excuse unlike the Dartford crossing that allows 1 ‘I didn’t realise’ Thank you Boris 😩
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Post by davycrockett on Jun 20, 2022 9:11:27 GMT 1
Close the ticket office, make everyone apply for their jobs, minimal pay rise, heading for a railway system that seems to be even worse for the customer. Yet still the Government don't call in the respective parties to negotiate and ensure the public get a railway that befits a country that needs an excellent public transport system? The ‘Government involvement’ used to be in the form of ACAS, not sure if they still get involved?
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Post by northwestman on Jun 20, 2022 9:22:33 GMT 1
Will there still be an option to buy off the conductor on the train? More expensive to buy on the day i know. Last time I went on a train was for the play-off final against Rotherham, and that was only from Rickmansworth, what a faff that was, couldn't buy two tickets with the same credit card, couldn't pay cash. Ridiculous. I took the train from Rickmansworth to Wembley too. No ticket office. You could pay by cash into a machine, but if you did it would cost you double what it would cost by using a contactless card or with an Oyster card - why the hell would I want one of those for 1 day only?
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Post by martinshrew on Jun 20, 2022 9:24:58 GMT 1
Will there still be an option to buy off the conductor on the train? More expensive to buy on the day i know. Last time I went on a train was for the play-off final against Rotherham, and that was only from Rickmansworth, what a faff that was, couldn't buy two tickets with the same credit card, couldn't pay cash. Ridiculous. I took the train from Rickmansworth to Wembley too. No ticket office. You could pay by cash into a machine, but if you did it would cost you double what it would cost by using a contactless card or with an Oyster card - why the hell would I want one of those for 1 day only? But you could have just used the contactless card? You don't need an Oyster? I feel there's a lot of moaning for the sake of moaning here.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2022 9:32:29 GMT 1
I took the train from Rickmansworth to Wembley too. No ticket office. You could pay by cash into a machine, but if you did it would cost you double what it would cost by using a contactless card or with an Oyster card - why the hell would I want one of those for 1 day only? But you could have just used the contactless card? You don't need an Oyster? I feel there's a lot of moaning for the sake of moaning here. I think some of it comes down to habits and perhaps fear of change. My dad would be the sort who would like to go to the ticket office to ask for times, pay for the ticket there and then receive a physical ticket, he wouldn't like to be forced to do it all online. However i then pointed out that he had a laptop which he used for basic tasks (he did use online banking) and then had a phone with various apps which he used regularly, he was certainly technology literate for basic tasks. But if I told him to do it all via thetrainlin.com (or it's app),, he would have a whinge and inevitably get me to do it.
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Post by northwestman on Jun 20, 2022 9:35:40 GMT 1
I took the train from Rickmansworth to Wembley too. No ticket office. You could pay by cash into a machine, but if you did it would cost you double what it would cost by using a contactless card or with an Oyster card - why the hell would I want one of those for 1 day only? But you could have just used the contactless card? You don't need an Oyster? I feel there's a lot of moaning for the sake of moaning here. At the time, I wasn't in possession of a contactless card. That meant I couldn't even buy chicken and chips from one of the outlets at the ground which said 'contactless card only' despite having plenty of cash! I believe that Worcestershire CCC have now gone completely cashless inside the ground. How much longer before Shrewsbury FC do the same?
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Post by staffordshrew on Jun 20, 2022 9:41:48 GMT 1
I took the train from Rickmansworth to Wembley too. No ticket office. You could pay by cash into a machine, but if you did it would cost you double what it would cost by using a contactless card or with an Oyster card - why the hell would I want one of those for 1 day only? But you could have just used the contactless card? You don't need an Oyster? I feel there's a lot of moaning for the sake of moaning here. Prepared to be corrected, but it seems to me that Oyster cards have been rendered obsolete by contactless cards?
If I ran TFL, I would have someone like NWM from out in the sticks, plus regular users to feedback on how things could be made more clear and simple - same with toll bridges, etc. Make it clear and simple and you have more customers because you don't have people using other routes to avoid you.
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Post by Pilch on Jun 20, 2022 9:48:54 GMT 1
I took the train from Rickmansworth to Wembley too. No ticket office. You could pay by cash into a machine, but if you did it would cost you double what it would cost by using a contactless card or with an Oyster card - why the hell would I want one of those for 1 day only? But you could have just used the contactless card? You don't need an Oyster? I feel there's a lot of moaning for the sake of moaning here. i see boris got a dig too , no mention of pykes 3 year contract yet though 🤪
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Post by staffordshrew on Jun 20, 2022 9:57:04 GMT 1
But you could have just used the contactless card? You don't need an Oyster? I feel there's a lot of moaning for the sake of moaning here. i see boris got a dig too , no mention of pykes 3 year contract yet though 🤪 Can I check something out on the board rules with you? Are posters able to express their own opinions, or not?
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Post by armchairfan on Jun 20, 2022 10:01:51 GMT 1
Close the ticket offices, make everyone apply for their jobs, minimal pay rises, heading for a railway system that seems to be even worse for the customer. Yet still the Government don't call in the respective parties to negotiate and ensure the public get a railway that befits a country that needs an excellent public transport system? Terribly sorry to disagree here: what gives the rail workers a greater right to an increase in wage-rates than other sectors of the economy? The government should resist interfering in an industry dispute when the government is not the ultimate employer; I can remember all too well the inflation rates of the late seventies and the ensuing carnage wreaked upon the economy, and Denis Healey having to put out the begging-bowl to the IMF. An escalation of price increases followed by wage increases does nobody any good. In more recent years, Liam Byrne, as Labour's last Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said in a note left for his Coalition successor, "best of luck, mate, we've spent all the money", or words to that effect. Risking a return to such days? Not for me, thanks. I gather, though I am no economist, that the UK's debt to GDP ratio is now greater than 100%, admittedly mainly due to the pandemic, but whatever the cause, that doesn't sound too good to me.
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Post by martinshrew on Jun 20, 2022 10:02:44 GMT 1
But you could have just used the contactless card? You don't need an Oyster? I feel there's a lot of moaning for the sake of moaning here. At the time, I wasn't in possession of a contactless card. That meant I couldn't even buy chicken and chips from one of the outlets at the ground which said 'contactless card only' despite having plenty of cash! I believe that Worcestershire CCC have now gone completely cashless inside the ground. How much longer before Shrewsbury FC do the same? ASAP, a quick tap to buy something and speed the queue up. Hopefully it'll stop people fumbling round with coins and the staff taking 30 seconds to work out the change from £10 if a pint and a pie is £8.40. If the club is sympathetic they'd run a pre-paid card scheme if you're that hell bent on using cash, top up the card with cash then use the card.
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Post by staffordshrew on Jun 20, 2022 10:14:57 GMT 1
At the time, I wasn't in possession of a contactless card. That meant I couldn't even buy chicken and chips from one of the outlets at the ground which said 'contactless card only' despite having plenty of cash! I believe that Worcestershire CCC have now gone completely cashless inside the ground. How much longer before Shrewsbury FC do the same? ASAP, a quick tap to buy something and speed the queue up. Hopefully it'll stop people fumbling round with coins and the staff taking 30 seconds to work out the change from £10 if a pint and a pie is £8.40. If the club is sympathetic they'd run a pre-paid card scheme if you're that hell bent on using cash, top up the card with cash then use the card. Should we be moving to take Bitcoin too?
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Post by staffordshrew on Jun 20, 2022 10:21:42 GMT 1
Close the ticket offices, make everyone apply for their jobs, minimal pay rises, heading for a railway system that seems to be even worse for the customer. Yet still the Government don't call in the respective parties to negotiate and ensure the public get a railway that befits a country that needs an excellent public transport system? Terribly sorry to disagree here: what gives the rail workers a greater right to an increase in wage-rates than other sectors of the economy? The government should resist interfering in an industry dispute when the government is not the ultimate employer; I can remember all too well the inflation rates of the late seventies and the ensuing carnage wreaked upon the economy, and Denis Healey having to put out the begging-bowl to the IMF. An escalation of price increases followed by wage increases does nobody any good. In more recent years, Liam Byrne, as Labour's last Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said in a note left for his Coalition successor, "best of luck, mate, we've spent all the money", or words to that effect. Risking a return to such days? Not for me, thanks. I gather, though I am no economist, that the UK's debt to GDP ratio is now greater than 100%, admittedly mainly due to the pandemic, but whatever the cause, that doesn't sound too good to me. You have simplified it down to just a pay issue. Don't the rail companies want to lose thousands of jobs, don't National Rail want to get rid of 3000? We've seen in other idustries that this "apply for your own jobs" strategy ruins customer service. Don't you think the govrrnment ought to be involved in ensuring th railway system works well?
National Rail is offering 2% pay rise, the train companies haven't made an offer. This isn't about rail union demanding an automatic keep up with inflation increase.
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Post by martinshrew on Jun 20, 2022 10:31:43 GMT 1
ASAP, a quick tap to buy something and speed the queue up. Hopefully it'll stop people fumbling round with coins and the staff taking 30 seconds to work out the change from £10 if a pint and a pie is £8.40. If the club is sympathetic they'd run a pre-paid card scheme if you're that hell bent on using cash, top up the card with cash then use the card. Should we be moving to take Bitcoin too? I wouldn't be against it, will inevitably test it's all time high again at some point, just nobody knows when.
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Post by armchairfan on Jun 20, 2022 10:40:19 GMT 1
Terribly sorry to disagree here: what gives the rail workers a greater right to an increase in wage-rates than other sectors of the economy? The government should resist interfering in an industry dispute when the government is not the ultimate employer; I can remember all too well the inflation rates of the late seventies and the ensuing carnage wreaked upon the economy, and Denis Healey having to put out the begging-bowl to the IMF. An escalation of price increases followed by wage increases does nobody any good. In more recent years, Liam Byrne, as Labour's last Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said in a note left for his Coalition successor, "best of luck, mate, we've spent all the money", or words to that effect. Risking a return to such days? Not for me, thanks. I gather, though I am no economist, that the UK's debt to GDP ratio is now greater than 100%, admittedly mainly due to the pandemic, but whatever the cause, that doesn't sound too good to me. You have simplified it down to just a pay issue. Don't the rail companies want to lose thousands of jobs, don't National Rail want to get rid of 3000? We've seen in other idustries that this "apply for your own jobs" strategy ruins custgomer service. Don't you think the govrrnment ought to be involved in ensuring th railway system works well? I accept that criticism entirely - the issues are much wider than just pay: another is a change in working practices to reflect advances in technology, very much the major issue on this thread; however, outdated working practices (often pre-dating BR) are still the norm in certain operating activities, and one only has to look at the DOD (driver-ooerated-doors) dispute, and the requirement in many areas for a "second man" at the front end of trains, which was only agreed to retain the fireman's existence from steam days. The tendency for all of us, in whatever industry, to do things the way they have always been done (because we know they work) is writ large in the lexicon of trade union activities, often to our detriment - moving with the times is not easy, but has to be done, sometimes painfully.
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Post by martinshrew on Jun 20, 2022 10:48:43 GMT 1
You have simplified it down to just a pay issue. Don't the rail companies want to lose thousands of jobs, don't National Rail want to get rid of 3000? We've seen in other idustries that this "apply for your own jobs" strategy ruins custgomer service. Don't you think the govrrnment ought to be involved in ensuring th railway system works well? I accept that criticism entirely - the issues are much wider than just pay: another is a change in working practices to reflect advances in technology, very much the major issue on this thread; however, outdated working practices (often pre-dating BR) are still the norm in certain operating activities, and one only has to look at the DOD (driver-ooerated-doors) dispute, and the requirement in many areas for a "second man" at the front end of trains, which was only agreed to retain the fireman's existence from steam days. The tendency for all of us, in whatever industry, to do things the way they have always been done (because we know they work) is writ large in the lexicon of trade union activities, often to our detriment - moving with the times is not easy, but has to be done, sometimes painfully. Quite right. Unfortunately job losses will occur naturally as technology develops, but new jobs that have never existed in new technologies will appear. It's about transition and training for those affected and encouraging those in declining trades to train into these emerging roles.
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Post by frankwellshrews on Jun 20, 2022 10:54:59 GMT 1
I'm just about willing to accept the whole smartphone/Internet access argument but if people are too stubborn to use a contactless card they'll have to walk or drive to be honest.
If you can figure out a train timetable, you can figure out how to pay with contactless.
As an aside, since moving to North Shropshire 4 years ago, I use Wem station which has never had a ticket office in all that time and works just fine. Very rarely see anybody using the ticket machine and as somebody who often has to sort out two kids in the morning before legging it to the station, etickets are an absolute god send as it's just on your phone ready to go.
Would seem a bit bloody minded to get rid of the ticket machine as well though. Anyone have any idea how much of a saving this would actually be? Guessing this is a fairly good plan from a green perspective.
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Post by Pilch on Jun 20, 2022 10:55:24 GMT 1
i see boris got a dig too , no mention of pykes 3 year contract yet though 🤪 Can I check something out on the board rules with you? Are posters able to express their own opinions, or not? i'll check later and get back to you , i have a feeling personal opinions are not allowed 👍
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Post by Red Rose In Exile on Jun 20, 2022 11:47:38 GMT 1
Bought ticket via Splitmyfare. Picked up at Station prior to travel. One of my trains was cancelled so I will arrive over 90 minutes late. Believe I will get a full refund on this single journey to Dundee.
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Post by block12massive on Jun 20, 2022 12:10:26 GMT 1
People seem so weirdly averse to change just because 'they've been doing something the same way for years'.
A nationwide 'oyster card' system where you would tap in and tap out of your departure and destination stations with a contactless debit card would be the ideal really.
No orange bits of paper and card littering the trains and the platforms. Can only be a good thing right?
I accept the rail industry in this country seems to make things purposely difficult for customers - such as finding the best price / split fares etc but this is just common sense really.
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Post by martinshrew on Jun 20, 2022 12:17:33 GMT 1
The railways are apparently in a s**t state, but they try something to change it and plenty are up in arms.
"If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got."
Never understood why the British people are so against change.
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Post by claphamshrew on Jun 20, 2022 12:21:22 GMT 1
I’ve visited plenty of countries in Europe and a few further afield and I’ve never come across a system where it’s online tickets only. As a minimum self service machines should be retained at stations and at least some kind of manned information point at larger stations, even if this role is combined with other manned roles at said station.
I’m sure there are savings to be made and don’t agree with the strikes but changing to a system which I’ve not come across anywhere else, despite many of those countries having a far better rail system than us, seems to be completely the wrong way to go about it.
On Staffy’s point regarding Oyster Cards, yes they are still available, and I still use one but that’s because a) I’m not keen on numerous journeys clogging up my bank statement and b) keeping my work travel expenses on a separate statement from my personal transactions is preferable (read into that what you will). However it just automatically tops up from my bank account when it gets low, so it’s completely hassle free as there’s no need to manually top up. For the occasional journey using your contactless card works great though and I don’t think it can be faulted.
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Post by Pilch on Jun 20, 2022 12:28:07 GMT 1
i see boris got a dig too , no mention of pykes 3 year contract yet though 🤪 Can I check something out on the board rules with you? Are posters able to express their own opinions, or not? i've checked and the rules state that only majority opinions are allowed and frowning at off topic government bashing is strictly forbidden 😜
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Post by GrizzlyShrew on Jun 20, 2022 13:04:53 GMT 1
But you could have just used the contactless card? You don't need an Oyster? I feel there's a lot of moaning for the sake of moaning here. I think some of it comes down to habits and perhaps fear of change. My dad would be the sort who would like to go to the ticket office to ask for times, pay for the ticket there and then receive a physical ticket, he wouldn't like to be forced to do it all online. However i then pointed out that he had a laptop which he used for basic tasks (he did use online banking) and then had a phone with various apps which he used regularly, he was certainly technology literate for basic tasks. But if I told him to do it all via thetrainlin.com (or it's app),, he would have a whinge and inevitably get me to do it. Trouble with me is actually finding things like tickets on my phone when I need them. Still prefer a paper copy.
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Post by GrizzlyShrew on Jun 20, 2022 13:07:50 GMT 1
I forgot to pay a couple of years ago when we went up to the Liverpool replay. However when I forgot to pay the Dart Charge a couple of weeks back and got a £35 charge I was amazed when they only charged me for the crossing and waived the excess. It was a genuine mistake and they know that in most cases it is, so the first charge is waived and used as a warning for next time. You were lucky. If you enter the low emission zone inadvertently (anywhere inside the M25) in the wrong vehicle first ‘reminder’ £500…. Your supposed to pay the £100 charge… no first offence genuine mistake excuse unlike the Dartford crossing that allows 1 ‘I didn’t realise’ Thank you Boris 😩 I really didnt need any excuse to not go to places like London and Birmingham before their charges. You would need to actually pay me to go these days.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2022 13:34:45 GMT 1
Trouble with me is actually finding things like tickets on my phone when I need them. Still prefer a paper copy. I've got mates who say the same but I remind them there's far greater chance of losing a physical ticket then there is of you losing your phone. I've been on many away trips where people have had to blag their way back because they have lost their return ticket There are of course some practical issues, I remember a few years ago on an away day in London, I'd brought the tickets for our group (8 of us) but by mistake had purchased them as 8 tickets on my app, rather than 8 set of tickets which could be printed off for people to come and go as they please. Typically after the game we got split up and the majority of the group were near Euston where the Met Police decided they wanted to put my group and the other Shrewsbury fans in the pub on an earlier train home, however the staff at Euston wouldn't let my friends on the train as without me they didn't have their ticket (apparently this led to a heated conversation between the police and rail staff which was quite entertaining).
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Post by zenfootball2 on Jun 20, 2022 13:44:34 GMT 1
im not sure were the £500 million in savings i very much doubt it will go into improving the service,iv used trains in Australia , Canada , New Zealand and Austria and untill you have somthing to compare it buy you dont appreciate how poor our trains are.
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Post by zenfootball2 on Jun 20, 2022 13:49:32 GMT 1
But you could have just used the contactless card? You don't need an Oyster? I feel there's a lot of moaning for the sake of moaning here. At the time, I wasn't in possession of a contactless card. That meant I couldn't even buy chicken and chips from one of the outlets at the ground which said 'contactless card only' despite having plenty of cash! I believe that Worcestershire CCC have now gone completely cashless inside the ground. How much longer before Shrewsbury FC do the same? covid has meraley accelerated the march to a cashless society, internet banking and purchashing via and app ,everyone who does not jump on bored or be coerced into joinig will find things getting more problamatic in every day life . do i wont to or like it then my answere is NO.
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