Customers have expressed their concerns that the new smart kiosks at local train stations will mean they are likely to receives fines when travelling.
East Midlands Railway has installed smart kiosks at Carlton, Netherfield and Burton Joyce stations which display real-time arrival and departure times and allow people to purchase tickets.
The machines have been installed across 14 stations in the East Midlands and East Midlands Railway feel they will fill a gap by giving customers access to real-time information.
The smart kiosk is placed on the outgoing line away from Nottingham at Carlton station and will mean customers will have to cross to the other platform to purchase a ticket.
Residents have stated that they are worried that they do not always have time to do this in the morning on the way to work in Nottingham.
A spokesman for East Midlands Railways said: “It’s the customers responsibility to leave themselves enough time to buy their ticket before boarding the train.”
The location of the smart kiosks was chosen to align with power access, and they were also placed where footfall was greatest if possible.
An elderly passenger told us they were informed that they would be fined for not having a ticket which was not the case before the installation of these machines.
This may be a concern for customers who could struggle with using the new appliances.
In response to this the East Midlands Railways spokesperson added: “If the ticket machines aren’t working, or the ticket office is unmanned – customers must approach a member of on-board staff as soon as possible to buy a ticket.
“Staff have also been fully briefed to help customers using the machines – where possible.”
The introduction of these machines has been advertised in the press and in discussion with the council.
They can issue traditional walk-up fares to customers as well as national Railcard and local discounts.
Simon Pready, Commercial Director at East Midlands Railway, said: “Our new screens make sure that our regional customers have the main information that they need for their journeys and we hope they find them, as well as the other features of the Smart Kiosks, useful as they travel across our regional network.”
Instant fines. This is a step too far and a bit OTT for Bj and Carlton. Penalty fares were first brought in to tackle the problem of fare dodging (to use the technical term) on lines with direct connections to the London-Sheffield – Leeds routes of East Midlands Trains, enforced by a team of Revenue Inspectors. It was confined to a small number of feeder stations. Legally, it is an offence to travel without a ticket and usually on these local lines, the guard has carried out revenue protection as a part of their job and it has been enough. I can’t help feeling that it is jumping the gun in a bid to cut staff even more. The gatelines at Nottingham station are not manned all the time. This is an excuse to anticipate the draconian measures proposed by TOCs that have been one of the main reasons behind the current industrial action on the railways, i.e getting rid of ticket offices, getting rid of most station staff and the safety critical role of the guard (Train Manager, Senior Conductor or whatever title is used). All it will do is cause distress when time is short (and I know you are supposed to get to the station in time but life gets in the way) and when the technology doesn’t work.
You are bloody right, Ruth. I feel the same
Well said
Simple solution tell the Guards if asked you got on at Lowdham their are No ticket machines at this station
The guard will know who got on at Lowdham. If it was still me and my generation, we’d issue the ticket as asked for but who knows what the current crop of guards have been told under threat of disciplinary action. They might but these days the companies employ the common “Mystery Shopper” to ensure Fare Dodgers get chucked off with charm and a penalty notice. I just used charm..
We need a station in Arnold to bring in the tourists so they dont have to get a bus from Nottingham so please ask for one Tom Randall
Nonsense. Get a grip ‘Arnold Lad’ You say the same all the time. It would take MILLIONS to reposition the tracks – and why Arnold? It’s not THAT special.
U are right Pam. Arnold had a station at Daybrook where Homebase is now. All demolished in the 1960’s.
If they are going down this idiotic route, there needs to be a ticket machine on both platforms. There just won’t be time to go to the other platform and risk hetting stranded by the gates closing.
This concern is at the same time as there has been no indication of service improvement at Burton Joyce, a continuation of an inappropriate bias and historical exclusion for which there is absolutely no justification.
stupidity from East Midlands Trains.Card Payments only,not everyone has a Debit Card or old folks knowing how to use these these machines.I spent 48 years on the footplate of the railway and know Rail Managers know best!
They will still get fare dodgers,just ask the operators of NET and their trams as they have taken to using plain clothes inspectors now.
Arnold lad is a rabid twonk