Last Friday (26/11/2010) me and my friend took a day trip out on the Berks and Hants travelling out of London on the 12:18 hst to Hungerford. Had a great run down with a very friendly TM^▸ (Train Manager, or possibly Ticket Machine, depending on context) doing a full ticket check between London and Reading . In Hungerford we grabbed some lunch then returned to the station for the 15:21 to Bedwyn which arrived 20 minutes late. From Bedwyn we planned to return on the 16:44 to Reading but this was cancelled along with the 17:35 to Pad making the next available train the 17:55 to Reading making a gap of 70 minutes . I used the shiny new help point and managed to get the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) customer services phone number . I rang and got through to a very helpful chap and explained the problem and the fact it was absolutly freezing . I requested a taxi only as far as Hungerford as i knew we could sit in the warm in the pub by the station the chap at the other end was very friendly and said he just needed to check with control. He returned around 30 seconds later to tell me control had denied the taxi and that i would have to wait in the freezing cold fo 70 minutes (at the earliest) i was sure that this was a franchise commitment of FGW that if a service is delayed by over 60 mins to provide alternative transport and that control were bang out of order but wasn't sure of my rights can anyone enlighten me?. On LM^▸ (London Midland - recent franchise) if a Bedford to Bletchley service is cancelled a taxi is always provided but then again London Midland is not a First operation

Last night i travelled on the 17:27 Totnes to London Paddington and took up my reserved seat in the quiet coach the TM^▸ (Train Manager, or possibly Ticket Machine, depending on context) appeared to be doing ticket checks throughout the train but everytime he got to the quiet coach he just walked through not doing checks i guess not wanting to disturb the ambience but very strange. Has anybody else seen this before?

While passing through Aldermaston and Midgham yesterday around 19:30 i noticed that both new help points were working fine on the eastbound plats. Kintburys westbound screen appeared to be plain white not operational.

Does this mean that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) have replaced all the ticket machines that had been broken in to?

I found a similer situation at Paddington last night with the suburban barriers wide open strangely though the p2-5 overbridge barriers were in full use FGW^▸ (First Great Western) seem incapable of operating all sets of barriers at one time. I hope this is only a staff shortage issue and not a cost cutting exercise as revenue protection on FGW is already woeful on many parts of the network.

If they start opening the barrier lines they will lose a fortune.

in place.

Thanks in advance

Just wondering what stations still have ticket machines in the Bristol area?. Am i right in thinking that between Bristol and Westbury machines only exist at Bristol TM^▸ (Train Manager, or possibly Ticket Machine, depending on context) , Bath Spa and Westbury. Makes a bit of a mockery of the penalty fares scheme which is supposedly.

I know the situation at Reading is ridiculous as is Bath with its alternative exit. The staff at Exeter St Davids must also be the worst barrier staff in the country there are only 4 gates and every time i have used the station the wide gate has been left locked in the open position with the three revenue protection staff everywhere but by the open gate thus allowing anyone without a ticket free access through the barriers. I was actually shocked at how three members of staff could make such a hash of it.

While traveling to Slough on Friday night on the 19:22 HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) from Paddington i was pleasantly surprised to find the overbridge ticket barriers in operation the first time i have actually seen them in use. My question is this now a regular occurance or are they only put in to operation on an ad-hoc basis?. Interestingly though many of the barriers on the suburban platforms were locked open eventhough there were plenty of staff around. As usual both of Sloughs barrier lines were in full working order.

Thanks in advance

Me and my friend just had a very enjoyable jaunt on the sleeper thursday night from Paddington to Penzanze spending yesterday wizzing around the Cornish rail network on the great value Cornish rover. This trip gave me a good opportunity to check the status of TVMs^▸ (Ticket Vending Machine) in Cornwall and parts of Devon which were as followed.

Penzanze (Not in PF^▸ (Penalty Fare) scheme?) - Full working order
Truro - Full working order inside ticket office not sure if ticket office is locked up in evening
St Austell - Could not view machine from train
Par - Full working order
Bodmin Parkway - Full working order
Liskeard - Full working order
Plymouth (Shere) x2 - Full working order along with ticket barriers at 19:20
Totnes - Out of service but not missing

Thanks for the continued information. While on the Reading to Didcot line on the weekend i noticed TVMs^▸ (Ticket Vending Machine) were all in use at Tilehurst,Pangborne , Didcot Parkway and Cholsey. Goring & Streetleys machine was out of service but not vandalised . Rather interesting was the fact that all the stations permit to travel machines had been locked out of use with a sign telling all customers to use the machines it looks like the days of permit to travels are well and truely numbered on FGW^▸ (First Great Western). The machine at Langley is still missing .

While at Paddington on Friday evening i noticed that ticket barriers have ben installed on the overbridge at Paddington covering platforms 2-5. They did not appear to be switched on though does anybody know if these barriers are operational yet? or if not when they are due to go live?

Thanks for all of your information pleased to hear the Nailsea machines are back in action

Hello there

I am just trying to find out just how many FGW^▸ (First Great Western) penalty fares stations still have there ticket vending machines installed as it has recently come to my attention that many have been removed due to vandalism and theft. While traveling around the thames valley on Saturday i noticed the machines at Langley and Bourne End had both been removed .I am also prety sure the machines at Hungerford, Worle ,Keynsham ,Cam & Durlsley and Yate have gone although i unsure confirmation would be appreciated.

Thanks in adavnce