Automatic ticket checking in Heuston

CSL · 05-05-2009, 16:38

I'd like to complain about this.

I got the 14:52 Mallow-Heuston. It was only by the grace of God I'd remembered to bring my ticket, normally bin it.

No announcement of barriers on the train at all, is what's annoying me. or the need to retain one's ticket, I mean up till now no-one's given a stuff, fair enough if they want to change it so why not make an announcement, I was on a single so hadn't started in Heuston so no need to keep the ticket, most of the time I'd toss it in the bin on exiting the train. Lucky I did to keep a bookmark this time.

IE - once again you display a well-honed sense of complete ignorance when it comes to customer service. I salute you, few companies keep this up as well and as terrible as you do.

Why do this for the MK4s anyway ? This is an IC run, with a checker onboard

RadarControl · 05-05-2009, 19:46

The machines in Heuston are crap. I purchased a new ticket last Friday and it worked on Friday and this morning. However this evening I got a "No Valid Route". The member of staff on the gate told me as far as he was concerned I didn't have a valid ticket and would have to buy another one.

This is despite me having a monthly ticket to the city centre. Thankfully I will not have to travel by train after this month.

Colm Moore · 05-05-2009, 19:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by RadarControl

However this evening I got a "No Valid Route".

This is a problem with the system, not your ticket. The system can't quiet understand how you have a ticket for somewhere (Dublin City Centre) that isn't on the Irish Rail passenger network (you can't get a train from Heuston to Dublin City Centre).

RadarControl · 06-05-2009, 08:26

We all know the problem is with the system and not the ticket. It worked on Friday and yesterday morning. I have monthly ticket with add-on to city centre.

Ticket failed again this morning with "No Valid Route". One of the guys who was with the RPU before the barriers came in wouldn't let me through. Told me if machine says "No Valid Route" then it is not valid ticket.

If I want to complain to IR about this fiasco who should the complaint be addressed to and in what form. I don't want to complain about an individual member of staff because they all are saying I have to buy a new ticket but the whole implementation of the ticket machines.

Thomas Ralph · 06-05-2009, 09:17

This is quite clearly a serious problem. If you buy a ticket that is clearly valid and the gate staff don't let you through, you should immediately demand to see a manager. Ultimately, consumer law applies so if the ticket does not work for the purpose for which you purchased it you are entitled to a full refund.

Thomas Ralph · 06-05-2009, 09:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSL

No announcement of barriers on the train at all, is what's annoying me.

I agree it should have been publicised better (and other than at Heuston), but the bylaws do require that you have a ticket available for inspection until you exit the destination station.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSL

Why do this for the MK4s anyway ? This is an IC run, with a checker onboard

It was either all or nothing as regards gating the platforms at Heuston, and quite a lot of trains coming in are commuter services now. And on a separate point, there is quite often no onboard ticket checker on Cork-Dublin trains.

Mark Gleeson · 06-05-2009, 09:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas Ralph

It was either all or nothing as regards gating the platforms at Heuston, and quite a lot of trains coming in are commuter services now. And on a separate point, there is quite often no onboard ticket checker on Cork-Dublin trains.

You would be hard pushed to find one on the 5:05 from Cork

Thomas Ralph · 06-05-2009, 11:02

And since the booking office isn't open then, will IÉ fine people at the gates in Heuston for not having a ticket that they couldn't buy?

CSL · 07-05-2009, 18:45

so why can't they just change the announcements on the train ?

"Please retain your ticket to allow exit through the barriers"

Mark Gleeson · 07-05-2009, 20:52

You should retain the ticket for inspection at all times, there is no good reason to leave it on the train.

This is the first time any class of check has been applied off train to any Heuston side passengers. This has been a long time coming, there is no note in the timetable for instance.

And the rules about automatic announcements are such that it can't actual say have your ticket ready for inspection

Kilocharlie · 07-05-2009, 21:07

This morning on the 7:40 from Portlaoise, there was an automatic announcement on Automatic Validation in Heuston and passengers were advised to have their tickets ready. The announcement was made as the train approached Heuston.

07-05-2009, 20:52	#10
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	You should retain the ticket for inspection at all times, there is no good reason to leave it on the train. This is the first time any class of check has been applied off train to any Heuston side passengers. This has been a long time coming, there is no note in the timetable for instance. And the rules about automatic announcements are such that it can't actual say have your ticket ready for inspection __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know

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05-05-2009, 16:38	#1
CSL Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 378	I'd like to complain about this. I got the 14:52 Mallow-Heuston. It was only by the grace of God I'd remembered to bring my ticket, normally bin it. No announcement of barriers on the train at all, is what's annoying me. or the need to retain one's ticket, I mean up till now no-one's given a stuff, fair enough if they want to change it so why not make an announcement, I was on a single so hadn't started in Heuston so no need to keep the ticket, most of the time I'd toss it in the bin on exiting the train. Lucky I did to keep a bookmark this time. IE - once again you display a well-honed sense of complete ignorance when it comes to customer service. I salute you, few companies keep this up as well and as terrible as you do. Why do this for the MK4s anyway ? This is an IC run, with a checker onboard

05-05-2009, 19:46	#2
RadarControl Regular Poster Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kildare Posts: 55	The machines in Heuston are crap. I purchased a new ticket last Friday and it worked on Friday and this morning. However this evening I got a "No Valid Route". The member of staff on the gate told me as far as he was concerned I didn't have a valid ticket and would have to buy another one. This is despite me having a monthly ticket to the city centre. Thankfully I will not have to travel by train after this month.

06-05-2009, 08:26	#4
RadarControl Regular Poster Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kildare Posts: 55	We all know the problem is with the system and not the ticket. It worked on Friday and yesterday morning. I have monthly ticket with add-on to city centre. Ticket failed again this morning with "No Valid Route". One of the guys who was with the RPU before the barriers came in wouldn't let me through. Told me if machine says "No Valid Route" then it is not valid ticket. If I want to complain to IR about this fiasco who should the complaint be addressed to and in what form. I don't want to complain about an individual member of staff because they all are saying I have to buy a new ticket but the whole implementation of the ticket machines.

06-05-2009, 09:17	#5
Thomas Ralph IT Officer Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Greenwich, London Posts: 1,860	This is quite clearly a serious problem. If you buy a ticket that is clearly valid and the gate staff don't let you through, you should immediately demand to see a manager. Ultimately, consumer law applies so if the ticket does not work for the purpose for which you purchased it you are entitled to a full refund.

06-05-2009, 11:02	#8
Thomas Ralph IT Officer Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Greenwich, London Posts: 1,860	And since the booking office isn't open then, will IÉ fine people at the gates in Heuston for not having a ticket that they couldn't buy?

07-05-2009, 18:45	#9
CSL Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 378	so why can't they just change the announcements on the train ? "Please retain your ticket to allow exit through the barriers"

07-05-2009, 21:07	#11
Kilocharlie Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 395	This morning on the 7:40 from Portlaoise, there was an automatic announcement on Automatic Validation in Heuston and passengers were advised to have their tickets ready. The announcement was made as the train approached Heuston.