Train ticket machines still a rip-off in 7out of 10 cases

TRAIN ticket machines are still ripping off customers in seven out of 10 cases, despite operators promising to treat passengers fairly.

The admission by the Department for Transport comes a year after a joint action was launched by the Government, rail industry and consumer groups to prevent ticket machines overcharging passengers. Following a Daily Telegraph campaign, operators said they would ensure that machines would tell passengers if they could save money by waiting a few minutes to buy a cheaper ticket.

But according to a “progress update” published yesterday, just 30 per cent of machines have so far complied with the change. The remaining 70 per cent of machines are due to be updated next year. In July, the Office for Rail and Road found that a fifth of people do not select the most appropriate fare from ticket machines, including 13 per cent who pay more than they need to.

Paul Plummer, the chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, said it was committed to providing simpler ticketing information. He added: “We will continue to work with the Government and others to get this right.”

Paul Maynard, the rail minister, admitted passengers can be left confused when trying to pay for train travel. He said: “Our aim was to make it easier for passengers to find the best value fares, offer greater flexibility when travelling and remove the complexity from the whole ticket-buying process, which can sometimes leave people scratching their heads.

“Working with the train companies and consumer groups has helped us make some really positive changes, and work will continue into the new year to improve ticket vending machines and bring forward fare pilots, to ensure buying the right ticket is simple, easy and straightforward.” Alex Hayman, of Which?, the consumer group, warned that the Government and the rail industry must “continue to improve”.

The DFT announced that jargon and abbreviations will be removed from rail tickets next year.

It also reported progress in a number of areas on fares and ticketing, including the sale of cheaper advance tickets up to 15 minutes before travel and greater flexibility when passengers forget railcards. Fares will increase by an average of 3.4 per cent on Jan 2.