Customer service in the age of smart rail technologies
 

Do you think....these technologies have brought numerous benefits for both passengers and operators. With connectivity continuing to boom and smart ticketing firmly on the government's transport agenda, there's undoubtedly more to come on this front.

But will it do anything for the grumpy jobsworth that you meet at the station?

It might eliminate them!

Interesting and timely comment. I know that GoVia has a commitment to close over 40 ticket offices on the Great Northern, Thameslink and Southern routes. Also guards' futures are looking threatened.

If you travel by train you really need to have a 'smart' phone - and know how to use it.

In future if you have a question or a problem buying a ticket you will have to join the long queue at the station to speak to a school-leaver with a tablet, which is what will replace them. Best not to try this in the rush-hour !

You can be sure there will be problems. Many current ticket machines are incapable of dealing with some discount rates, and are NOT programmed to tell you the cheapest way of travelling somewhere like many good ticket office staff used to.

Well certainly operators are set to make much bigger profits by lowering their overheads...but since when did cost savings on the railway lead to a drop in ticket prices ? :rolleyes: