Norfolk Chamber Gold Patron Greater Anglia is supporting national plans to simplify train fares and make buying tickets easier, by making its own customer-focused improvements.
The Rail Delivery Group, which represents all train operators and Network Rail, today (Wednesday) announced trials of a new fares system and an action plan for companies, aimed at making ticket purchase from ticket vending machines easier and simpler.
Andy Camp, Greater Anglia Commercial Director, said: “We fully support the Rail Delivery Group’s plans. We are already well advanced in adopting and delivering the actions announced, with some initiatives already in place and other planned as part of our new franchise.
“We are committed to offering our customers great value fares and make it as easy as possible for them to use our services.”
Greater Anglia has introduced a new fares “Price Promise”, guaranteeing the best price possible if customers book via the Greater Anglia website or app, or refunding the difference if they find the same ticket cheaper elsewhere.
The company has launched a new website which includes an easier ticket-buying process and highlights how many bargain Advance purchase tickets are still available to buy.
Further new, great value fares and tickets are due to be launched later this year, including an Advance Purchase ticket available up to ten minutes before departure and next year an enhanced FlexCarnet season ticket will be introduced for travellers who use the same route, but not every day.
Changes to ticket vending machines include eliminating some confusing jargon and routes, such as removing the terms “Any Permitted” and “London Terminals” where appropriate to do so and putting on a “cheapest fare” button.
Customers will also be able to buy a wider range of tickets from ticket machines, including Advance purchase, weekly PlusBus and monthly season tickets.
Existing card readers on the machines are being replaced with contactless readers which accept Apple Pay and Android Pay.
All existing and new ticket machines will be Smart-enabled for collection and purchase of Smart season tickets. They will also provide a real-time information button, displaying the departure board from the station where it is located.
Another benefit for customers will be the installation of extra ticket machines at some of Greater Anglia’s busiest stations, including London Liverpool Street, Stansted Airport, Chelmsford, Colchester and Ipswich.
There also plans to install 14 additional cash and card ticket machines at a number of Essex stations, as part of a wider roll out of ticket machines across the Greater Anglia network, with more details due to be announced in the next few weeks.