REGIONAL train operator One has invested more than £2 million to install a new generation of self-service ticket machines at 38 stations across its network.
The 75 Scheidt & Bachmann ticket machines replace the previous Quickfare ticket machines and are promised to offer customers an improved service.
The user-friendly touch-screen machines can issue a ticket to any national rail destination, including London Underground zonal tickets, railcard discounts and season tickets. They also accept both cash and credit cards and have chip and pin functionality for extra security.
In the future the machines will also be able to issue tickets that have been booked in advance through One's customer services centre, using a unique reference number issued to the purchaser.
The machines will help to cut queues at the ticket office and enable customers to buy tickets even when the office is closed. Each machine costs £30,000 to install
One's customer services director, Andrew Macpherson, said: “I am pleased that the installation of these ticket machines - which was a franchise commitment by One - is now complete, offering customers another quick and convenient way to buy a ticket.
“Customers should always buy their ticket in advance where possible and the new machines offer an alternative when the ticket offices are very busy or closed.”
Among the stations to be equipped with the new machines are Braintree, Braintree Freeport, Chelmsford, Clacton, Colchester, Colchester Town, Diss, Dovercourt, Frinton, Hatfield Peverel, Ingatestone, Ipswich, Kelvedon, Liverpool Street, Manningtree, Marks Tey, Norwich, Shenfield, Southend Victoria, Stowmarket, Stratford, Witham and Wivenhoe.
