A train company says ticket inspectors will use new technology to check fare dodgers' most common excuse for not paying. Northern said 'the ticket machine wasn't working' is the go-to explanation for those unable to present a valid ticket.
It is now bringing in a new app to allow conductors to check the status of over 600 self-service machines on its network. It will show staff is a machine is ‘active’ and issuing tickets.
Northern says it will be a "crucial tool" in its use of penalty fares as it tries to minimise the number of people dodging buying tickets across its 2,000 services a day. Fare evaders are prosecuted under the Regulation of Railways Act 1889 and the Railway Byelaws made pursuant to the Transport Act 2000.
“Until now, our frontline staff have been in a difficult position when faced with this excuse, as without being able to check, there was always the possibility a machine somewhere on the network was out of action. Now, our colleagues will be able to ‘fact check’ the status of the machine in question and issue a penalty fare if appropriate.”Mark Powles, customer and commercial director, said: “Self-service ticket machines are a key part of our infrastructure that ensures customers can always buy a ticket before they travel. They have, however, been a convenient scapegoat when people are challenged as to why they don’t have a valid ticket for travel.
The app has been designed by Flowbird and RADD Solution. It will be used alongside a new 'Quick Buy' feature on the train firm's ticket machines, which Northern says has halved the number of steps required to purchase a ticket.
It also shows passengers when the next train is due and gives a countdown which helps them determine if they have time to catch the train from when they buy the ticket.
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