Chaos for rail commuters as ticket machines shut down

RAIL passengers faced chaos yesterday morning as ticket machines throughout the country malfunctioned.

A technology glitch meant machines were unusable during rush hour, leaving millions of commuters frustrated and delayed. Southern Rail, Greater Anglia, Great Northern, Manchester Metrolink and Scotrail were among operators affected by an error with software provided by the German firm Scheidt & Bachmann.

On-screen messages said the machines had “no online connectivity”, leaving them unable to send payment card details.

Long queues formed at stations, with irate commuters complaining that they had missed trains and been made late for work.

Many took to social media to vent their frustrations.

Rail Delivery Group, which represents train firms, said the problem started at around 4am and was fixed by 9am.

However, notices on ticket machines suggested they were still having problems at lunchtime.

Customers were still able to buy tickets online and via apps while the ticket machines were out of service.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said: “Train companies will need to investigate what caused this major disruption to ticket machines and to learn the lessons to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

“The train companies affected must make sure that no one is penalised if they were unable to purchase a ticket because of this fault.”

A spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group apologised to the customers who were inconvenienced.