Published on: Wednesday, 15 March 2017
Last updated: Wednesday, 15 March 2017
Greater Anglia is making it easier for rail passengers in Essex to buy train tickets with the installation of brand new ticket machines at 14 stations.
Twelve of the stations, which currently do not have a ticket machine, will now have the latest machines installed, so customers will be able to buy tickets before they travel as well as allowing them to collect tickets and smart card products bought online.
The user-friendly touch-screen machines also offer contactless card payment and will incorporate information screens. Future upgrades will include a cheapest ticket button, a connection to an operator who would be able to help with enquiries and the ability to renew monthly paper season tickets, buy tickets 28 days in advance and purchase, PlusBus tickets, and tickets from anywhere to anywhere.
The new ticket machines will start to be installed next month at the following stations: Althorne, Battlesbridge, Chappel & Wakes Colne, Cressing, Bures, Harwich International, Harwich Town, Kirby Cross, Mistley, North Fambridge, Walton-on-the-Naze, Weeley, White Notley and Wrabness.
The £495K investment means that all stations in Essex will have a ticket machine. New shelters will also be installed to provide cover for customers from the elements while they buy their tickets. Similar projects to install ticket machines will follow on the rest of Greater Anglia’s network.
Andrew Camp, Commercial Director for Greater Anglia, said: “The new ticket machines are part of our commitment to making it easier and more convenient for our customers to buy tickets and for the first time, allow customers using these stations to purchase their tickets before boarding the train, or collect tickets that they have previously bought online.”
In total, Greater Anglia will renew around 55 ticket machines across the network installing new Scheidt & Bachmann machines and replacing outdated Worldline machines.
In addition, Greater Anglia has introduced a new fares “Price Promise”, guaranteeing the best price possible if customers book via the Greater Anglia website or app, or refunding the difference if they find the same ticket cheaper elsewhere, and has tried to remove anomalous split ticketing – which causes confusion for customers trying to find the cheapest fare.
Its new website also features an easier ticket-buying process, which includes showing how many bargain Advance purchase tickets are still available to buy.