Transport for Wales has entered a partnership with eight local businesses in North Wales and the Wirral so that people can purchase their train tickets from local shops that offer a Payzone facility.
With the Payzone initiative, customers will find it even easier to buy their train alongside the shops' other products. Most of the retailers are within a 15-minute walk of a station, and the facility means that anyone wishing to travel can purchase their tickets in advance with cash or card without the need to rush once they arrive at the station.
Customers can buy their tickets at the retailers either on their day of travel or in advance tickets. They can also purchase tickets for small group tickets and take advantage of their railcard discounts there.
This scheme extends the one already in operation in South Wales where nearly 100 shops offer the facility.
So far shops in the following locations have signed up:- Buckley, Gwersyllt, Hawarden, Hawarden Bridge, Heswall, Neston, Penuffordd, Shotton, Upton, Wrexham Central, Wrexham General
Click here for full details of their addresses
Transport for Wales has made a five-point commitment plan to improve customer service on the Wrexham to Bidston line. This latest partnership is an important part of that plan as, in June, Transport for Wales committed to making a number of improvements in the area, which included making it as easy as possible to purchase train tickets.
Community Retail Manager for TfW Charlotte Yarnold said the scheme was about giving customers as many options as possible and about supporting local business. She said: “We want to give customers as much choice as possible when buying their tickets.
“Some people are comfortable buying from apps or machines but we know others do prefer that human interaction.
“Partnering up with Payzone means we can give our customers that element of choice in areas where there may not be a local booking office. And it will help the footfall into those businesses too which is incredibly important to us with communities being at the heart of what we do.”
Yoy can’t compair a local shop to a railway station, who will be on the station for the vulnerable or to help anyone.
I think this is the way forward for ticket offices. Ticket offices are needed but most travellers don’t use them so why not convert ticket offices to small shops (along the lines of a “sub post office” for railway tickets ?
You could buy a ticket and a coffee or sandwich all in one place.
Railways have to adapt we can’t return to the technology of the 1950’s but a small shop/ticket office would provide for the needs of the vulnerable while costing less. Just like having a sub post office when a post office isn’t economically viable.
Great idea, convenience is the key here.
That I like, in addition to buying your ticket, a tea or coffee, a sandwich / snack, newspaper while you wait for your train in a waiting room! In addition, get travel advice and help getting on the train safely because you’re partially disabled – along with thr trains Guard of course. Safely too because the ticket office staff and Guard ensure safety and first aid on the station and train… Simple!