Sounds like half the kitchen will have to come out as all the end panels have blown from water damage, plus all the dining room floor will have to be replaced. Not too costly on the materials, but the labour will be quite a bit. Not good.
Not sure how it works but could he not have bought a ticket online on his smartphone and scanned it through, or shown it to the person on the barrier to then let him through?
It doesn't quite work like that.
Rather than more machines I suggest more station staff for the morning, early shift, sell tickets, check tickets, clean the place up, answer questions, provide a service. If the unions allowed it they could multi task and do more of the jobs that are needed, when needed, even paint the place etc in quieter times after the rush. Surely better for folks to have good, paid jobs than not?
IIRC it's not the unions that reduced the number of staff.
Very true, BR are, I have little doubt, not an employer with wanting to forge staff loyalty high on their priority list, nor do I suspect they are quick to adapt to change.
Guy seems like a four letter word himself, queues at a train station aren't anything new. I remember when my Dad worked in London every now and then in the days before smart phones etc and he would just go down the night before to Rayleigh station and buy a ticket knowing it would save him time in the morning. It's just common sense to plan your journey if you know your going to be in a rush.
Instant society sadly, some can't see the need for a bit of common sense and planning and then get the arse when it doesn't fall right for them.
I’m not sure what that has to do with getting a train to Southend where there are two distinct lines/routes but is this any different from going West Ham to Barking?
You're right @londonblue , I don't know, which is why the comment was generic and not pointed at anyone in particular. My general comment stands though.
