Reprogramability of ticketing etc.
 

During a short break in London last weekend, I bought a day return ticket
from KXSP Thameslink to Gravesend (intending to change at London Bridge).
Only then did I discover that Thameslink services are not currently running
between Blackfriars and Kentish Town on weekends to permit work on the new
station under Midland Way. Although this situation, in which Thameslink
passengers concerned are advised to use the Northern Line between those
stations, has long been planned and will continue for many months, little if
anything has been done to adapt the computer-printed Thameslink tickets. In
particular, the one I bought bears the words 'Route: Not Underground' and
indeed it was rejected by the gates at London Bridge (and Bank/Monument on
my return via Cannon St.). Surely one of the great advantages of
computerised ticketing systems is that they can be reprogrammed when
required to take account of such changes in routing (and incidentally ensure
that receipts are attributed correctly). So why is this not done in
practice?

On the same journey, I was irritated to hear the computerised announcement
on approaching Old Street and Moorgate stations that passengers 'should
change here for main line rail services' when, of course, there are no such
services there (nor, indeed, any National Rail services) on Saturdays and
Sundays. If it is too difficult to have different announcements on weekdays
and weekends, then why does the standard announcement not say that
passengers 'should change here for National Rail services except on
weekends'?

Such obvious absurdities suggest that the systems in London were designed by
the Sorcerer's apprentice...

Regards,

- Alan (in Brussels)

Reprogramability of ticketing etc.
 

"Alan (in Brussels)" wrote in message
...
During a short break in London last weekend, I bought a day return ticket
from KXSP Thameslink to Gravesend (intending to change at London Bridge).
Only then did I discover that Thameslink services are not currently
running
between Blackfriars and Kentish Town on weekends to permit work on the new
station under Midland Way. Although this situation, in which Thameslink
passengers concerned are advised to use the Northern Line between those
stations, has long been planned and will continue for many months, little
if
anything has been done to adapt the computer-printed Thameslink tickets.
In
particular, the one I bought bears the words 'Route: Not Underground' and
indeed it was rejected by the gates at London Bridge (and Bank/Monument on
my return via Cannon St.). Surely one of the great advantages of
computerised ticketing systems is that they can be reprogrammed when
required to take account of such changes in routing (and incidentally
ensure
that receipts are attributed correctly). So why is this not done in
practice?....

If you had said... "ensure that receipts are *distributed* correctly" -
which may be part of your meaning - I think the answer would have suggested
itself.
Thameslink takes all the money for a 'not underground' ticket - but only
part of the money if the tube is involved.
They have probably calculated which type of ticket will bring them most
revenue.
Alan