Nailsea Station Assistant

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

Yes: I subsequently found out that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) staff have some choice over what name appears on their badge - it doesn't have to be their true name. 

[Super Guard]

Back in the day of surnames on badges, we were allowed a sensible replacement, and obviously things like Jason could be changed to Jay etc, however I wasn't aware we were allowed random first names now... I don't really see the point 

[Ollie]

Back in the day of surnames on badges, we were allowed a sensible replacement, and obviously things like Jason could be changed to Jay etc, however I wasn't aware we were allowed random first names now... I don't really see the point 

Yeah seems a bit pointless.

Although on my badge says Ollie, wasn't asked, was just given to me that way

[Mookiemoo]

Where do you see these people at Nailsea - have gotten the 0644 four times and many during the day

Not seen a soul

[inspector_blakey]

According to the NRES^▸ (National Rail Enquiry Service) stations dossier, NLS is staffed Mo-Fr from 0630 to 0930. I assume the staff member on duty operates a booking office using an Avantix^▸ (Ticket Issuing System used on board trains) machine in a hut on the station somewhere (up platform?) a la Keynsham.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Hmmmmmm.

The franchise requirement is that Nailsea & Backwell Station is staffed between 06:30 and 09:30 Monday to Friday.

If that is not happening, you need to tell Tracy McCarthy, the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) station manager responsible for our station. 


(and, if it is still not happening ... you will perhaps now understand the reservations, which some of us expressed here, in previous posts on this topic ...  )

[Mookiemoo]

Well I've only been using it for a month and have only gotten the 0644 - and I just checked - 6 times not four (checked my tickets)

Knowing there was meant to be a man with an avantix (ahem) I did look to try to buy before I go but I seriously did not see anyone

I thought the man in the hut may be petrol station side (which not make sense at all) and did check one day - but nope

If there is more to this, PM before I drop anyone into it

[Chris from Nailsea]

The fact of the matter is, there should be someone from FGW^▸ (First Great Western) in the cabin on platform 2 at Nailsea & Backwell Station, selling tickets from his Avantix^▸ (Ticket Issuing System used on board trains) machine, as he has been trained to do, between 06:30 and 09:30 Monday to Friday.

CfN. 

[Mookiemoo]

Can confirm the guy was setting up at 06:25 this morning.

First time i've noticed that

[Chris from Nailsea]

Hmm.

On the one hand, we're told this:



On the other hand ... we are given these:





As I said:  Hmm. 

[Mookiemoo]

ok - havent been noticing enough but is the *normal service* poster in an easily accessible place

Going into devils advocate mode

If its not easy to change then what they've done is the best they can do - especially since the TVMs^▸ (Ticket Vending Machine) dont take cash so if you want to use that its on train or at BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) only

Now .... if a poster went up to advertise when he was there as opposed supposed to be

[Chris from Nailsea]

Hmm, again. 

The fact of the matter is: it is a requirement of their franchise that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) provide someone to staff the ticket office at Nailsea & Backwell each weekday morning.

So, it really doesn't matter whether the poster is prominent, or not.  (However: actually, it is - it's in the top right hand corner of the western-most of the huge posters facing the car park on Station Close.  That is where I took the first of those pictures.)

No, the TVMs^▸ (Ticket Vending Machine) do not accept cash: that is precisely why we want FGW to honour their commitment to provide someone with an Avantix^▸ (Ticket Issuing System used on board trains) machine at NLS in the morning peak, to sell tickets for cash to commuters who don't want to use a credit card for a ^3.60 transaction, for example. 

Sorry to go on. 

[JayMac]

"For all information and details of you most convenient alternative....."

 

Oh, and why no mention that tickets can be bought on the train?

[inspector_blakey]

Hmm from me too. Those dates look like they have rather little to do with "sickness" and rather a lot to do with annual leave and no-one available (or willing, or asked...?) to cover.

And while I'm at it, why is it that these notices are always written in some sort of quasi-management speak by someone whose grasp of literacy might be sympathetically described as tenuous? It's inconvenience which may be caused, not maybe caused. I've no idea how maybe would cause inconvenience in the first place. Anyway, the whole "May be caused" bit is garbage anyway, since it's patently obvious that inconvenience will be caused. Why say "Temporary ticket office closure" when "Temporary interruption to ticket services" sounds much more lumpy and "official" to whichever functionary writes this crud? Why would you ever say "lack" when "non-availability" just sounds sooo much better?!  

So how about this...?

Temporary ticket office closure

We regret that due to lack of staff, this ticket office will be closed from dd-mmm-yy to dd-mmm-yy, and apologize for the inconvenience this will cause.

For information about train services please call 08457 484950. To purchase tickets by telephone using a credit or debit card, please call 08457 000 125 or visit our website at www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk.

Tickets for immediate travel may be purchased from the ticket machines near the car park, by the steps to platform two. These machines will only accept credit or debit card payments. If you wish to pay using cash, then you may purchase your tickets from the conductor on board the train at no additional charge.

Penalty fares will not apply to travel from Nailsea and Backwell station for the duration of the ticket office closure

After all, surely we need something to stop aunty Gladys being frightened by those nasty yellow posters threatening penalty fares if you haven't got a ticket!

[JayMac]

After all, surely we need something to stop aunty Gladys being frightened by those nasty yellow posters threatening penalty fares if you haven't got a ticket!

Is that Gladys Scrubbins from Scabies Crescent? Only I thought she lived in Weston-super-Mare.