Ticket machines at train stations are charging passengers more than double the price they would pay online for certain journeys, according to a study by consumer group Which?. The research found that same-day rail tickets were on average 50% more expensive at stations compared to online prices. The study also found that the best value fares were hard to find on many machines. Plans to close many ticket offices at train stations were cancelled after people complained. Currently, only one in six train stations has a full-time ticket office.

Which? sent people to 15 train stations to compare the prices of tickets from machines with those from online retailer Trainline. They found that there were big differences in prices. For example, a journey from Holmes Chapel to London cost £66 at a machine, but only £26 online. The price difference was even bigger for a journey from Northampton to Cardiff, which cost £107 at a machine but only £43 online. The higher prices at machines are because they don't offer cheaper advance fares or off-peak fares.

Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said that the price differences were "amazing". He pointed out that many people, especially older people who don't have the internet, are paying more than they need to when they travel. Two in five train stations don't have a ticket office at all, so people have no choice but to use the machines. The many different types of train fares also make it hard for people to know which one is best for them.

Train company LNER is trying to make fares simpler by getting rid of return tickets and reducing the number of standard class fares. The Rail Delivery Group, which represents train companies, agrees that more needs to be done to make fares easier for customers. They say that introducing single leg pricing and expanding contactless fares are important changes. In December, the Department for Transport announced that train fares in England would go up by up to 4.9% from March, which is less than the usual increase in January.

Original news source: Train ticket machines charging double online price (BBC)

– News Summary
Instructions: Have students read the article individually or in pairs. Then, ask them to write a brief news summary of the article, highlighting the main points and key details. They can share their summaries with the class and discuss any differences or similarities.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Each group should discuss and debate the issue presented in the article: ticket machines charging more than online prices. After the discussion, have each group conduct an opinion poll within the class, asking students whether they think ticket machines should charge the same as online prices or if the current system is acceptable. Finally, have each group present their findings and share their own opinions.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write down key vocabulary words from the article on separate slips of paper and put them in a bowl or hat. Divide the class into small teams. One student from each team will come up and choose a slip of paper. They must then draw a visual representation of the word without using any letters or numbers. The other team members must guess what word is being drawn. The team with the most correct guesses wins.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Each pair should discuss the pros and cons of ticket machines charging more than online prices. They should consider the impact on different groups of people, such as older people without internet access or frequent train travelers. After the discussion, each pair should present their findings to the class and engage in a class-wide debate.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: Have students work individually or in pairs to make predictions about the future of ticket machines and train fares. They should consider potential solutions to the problem presented in the article, such as implementing consistent pricing or improving accessibility for older people. Students can present their predictions to the class and discuss the feasibility and potential impact of their ideas.

Ticket machines at train stations are charging passengers more than double the ? they would pay online for certain journeys, according to a ? by consumer group Which?. The research found that same-day rail tickets were on average 50% more expensive at stations compared to online ?. The study also found that the best value ? were hard to find on many machines. Plans to close many ticket offices at train stations were cancelled after people complained. Currently, only one in six train stations has a full-time ticket office. Which? sent people to 15 train stations to compare the prices of tickets from machines with those from ? retailer Trainline. They found that there were big differences in prices. For example, a ? from Holmes Chapel to London cost £66 at a machine, but only £26 online. The price difference was even bigger for a journey from ? to Cardiff, which cost £107 at a machine but only £43 online. The ? prices at machines are because they don't offer cheaper advance fares or off-peak fares. Rory Boland, ? of Which? Travel, said that the price differences were "amazing". He pointed out that many people, especially older people who don't have the internet, are ? more than they need to when they travel. Two in five ? stations don't have a ticket office at all, so people have no choice but to use the machines. The many different types of train fares also make it hard for people to know which one is best for them. ? company LNER is trying to make fares simpler by getting rid of return tickets and reducing the number of standard ? fares. The Rail Delivery Group, which represents train companies, agrees that more needs to be done to make fares easier for customers. They say that ? single leg pricing and expanding contactless fares are important changes. In December, the Department for Transport announced that train fares in ? would go up by up to 4.9% from ?, which is less than the usual increase in January.

1. Have you ever bought a train ticket from a ticket machine? How did you feel about the experience?
2. What do you think about the prices of train tickets being more expensive at ticket machines compared to online prices?
3. How would you feel if you found out you paid more for a train ticket from a machine than you would have online?
4. Do you think it's fair that ticket machines don't offer cheaper advance fares or off-peak fares? Why or why not?
5. Have you ever had difficulty finding the best value fares on a ticket machine? How did you handle it?
6. Do you think it's a good idea to close ticket offices at train stations? Why or why not?
7. What do you think about the fact that only one in six train stations has a full-time ticket office?
8. How do you think older people who don't have the internet feel about having to use ticket machines and potentially paying more for their tickets?
9. Do you agree with Rory Boland that the price differences between ticket machines and online prices are "amazing"? Why or why not?
10. How do you think the different types of train fares make it difficult for people to know which one is best for them?
11. What do you think about LNER's plan to get rid of return tickets and reduce the number of standard class fares? Do you think it will make fares simpler?
12. Do you think it's a good idea to introduce single leg pricing and expand contactless fares? Why or why not?
13. What do you think about the announcement that train fares in England will go up by up to 4.9% from March? Do you think it's fair?
14. Have you ever used contactless payment for a train fare? How was your experience?
15. What changes would you suggest to make train fares easier for customers?

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