In message , at 16:56:56 on Tue, 6 May
2014, tim..... remarked:

Whatever TfL says there's not going to be one helper per ticket machine

Agreed. Maybe one per station (or two at really busy stations).

I currently use the machine because all the numpties are in the queue
for the manned counter(s)

There are plenty of numpties using (FSVO) the machines.
--
Roland Perry