On Wed, 9 Jan 2008 12:03:44 -0800 (PST), brixtonite
wrote:

When I was at Green Park with a queue building up behind me, there was
in fact a supervisor hanging around the machines helping people work
them.

Which makes a lot of sense, IMO. If the ticket machines can issue and
give change[1] for 99% of tickets, it is most efficient to provide
more machines and fewer windows and to have staff moving around the
ticket hall assisting the few people who actually need assistance.

While this might not work for the national rail network (as the fares
structure is far too complex, though the far simpler Dutch system
managed it) it shouldn't be beyond the wit of TfL for all possible
Tube ticketing products including issuing[2] and refunding Oyster
cards to be available from a machine.

[1] The new narrow machines that don't give change are a damned stupid
idea.

[2] Yes, I know there are those "insert 3 quid" machines, but those
are just a quick solution. The long-term solution really must be a
one-stop machine that can do the lot.

Neil

--
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the at to reply.