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CityCyclingEdinburgh was launched on the 27th of October 2009 as "an experiment".

IT’S TRUE!
CCE is 15years old!
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It soon became useful and entertaining. There are regular posters, people who add useful info occasionally and plenty more who drop by to watch. That's fine. If you want to add news/comments it's easy to register and become a member.

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CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » General Edinburgh

31. steveo
    Member

    Hey, I'm a dittery young(ish) chap and I missed the tram the first time I tried it!

    I've now missed three journeys due to these machines. First one I seen the tram coming along Broomhouse but it was the first time I'd encountered this idiocy, the second I was coming back from the pub and really did just need a "take me home button". The third I was heading to Haymarket for a meeting when I was stuck behind confused above. I've so far used the tram 4 times... Only one that wasn't frustrating was the return of the first where I had a day ticket.

    It needs two settings stun and kill buttons single and day ticket, any thing else you need the menu. It strikes me they're more interested in collecting MI than a rapid customer experience.

    Posted 9 years ago #

32. cb
    Member

    The short-lived bus ticket machines were never that complicated.

    They didn't even worry about such tricky concepts as giving change - but I suppose that is part of the unique Edinburgh Bus experience. AND they saved you 10p.

    Posted 9 years ago #

33. acsimpson
    Member

    I can't find a picture to confirm but my memory of those machines was that they had two buttons. One for a day ticket and the other for a single. Genius in it's simplicity.

    Posted 9 years ago #

34. cb
    Member

    Picture here:

    http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=5182&categoryid=0

    Looks like there were four buttons. presumably two for child tickets.

    From that page:

    "When the equipment came to the end of its useful life, we made the decision to remove the machines permanently rather than invest in new ones to keep fares down for customers"

    How long were they operational for? Not that long?

    Posted 9 years ago #

35. steveo
    Member

    When the equipment came to the end of its useful life,

    It was cheaper to bin it than replace the factory installed roll of paper that had run out? They were installed around the time the tram lines were being installed I think the idea was that you'd get used to buying from the machine before the trams made it compulsory.

    Posted 9 years ago #

36. Min
    Member

    I don't think it's asking for too much for a big red button on the tram ticket machine welcome screen that says "£1.50 single".

    That sounds fair. The fare system is very simple so why not a very simple ticket machine?

    Posted 9 years ago #

37. Nelly
    Member

    Although clearly cycling home, I am going to take a small detour to Edinburgh Park Station and time a ticket purchase.

    Might even film it to see how long it takes to negotiate these fiendish machines one handed.

    ;-)

    Posted 9 years ago #

38. AKen
    Member

    i Might even film it to see how long it takes to negotiate these fiendish machines one handed.

    I had to get a tram from Shandwick place the other day. The tram arrived at the platform before I crossed the road but I still managed to get over, buy my ticket and get on (just) before the doors closed. Not complicated.

    Posted 9 years ago #

39. steveo
    Member

    Might even film it to see how long it takes to negotiate these fiendish machines one handed.
    The tram arrived at the platform before I crossed the road but I still managed to get over, buy my ticket and get on (just) before the doors closed. Not complicated.

    No complicated but unnecessarily clunky. See above where the UI used by bus drivers and compare it to the UI used by the these machines. It only needs 2 buttons alright four (children).

    Posted 9 years ago #

40. steveo
    Member

    Maybe these things bug me more because I do this kind of thing for a living.

    Maybe its because its actually made me miss my transport for no good reason. Even if you did make your tram @AKen (just) wouldn't it be better if you made your tram comfortably?

    Posted 9 years ago #

41. Lizzie
    Member

    I don;t undersdtand why I have to 'validate' my ridacard before boarding the tram when once I get on along comes a 'revenue dogsbody' (didn;t these folks used to be called 'ticket inspectors' or even 'conductors' at one time??) to then check that my ridacard is valid. I would think that if its going to be checked on the tram (and it always is) that the pre-check is just an unnecessary annoyance. Seems to be a lot of red tape for nothing. Or maybe the trams just like wasting money having the on-board 'revenue dogsbodys' when really their role should be a random check, the fear of which leads folks to getting their tickets, as it is in other places.
    Either way. Has anyone else noticed how empty the trams are now the festival visitors have all gone away?
    When will the trial to carry bikes (that is non-folding bikes) start?

    Posted 9 years ago #

42. paolobr
    Member

    I've worked in Montpellier in France over the years and used the tram system there. Similar population, cultural centre, university town. Carnet of 10 cheaper than 10 singles (and cheaper than Edinburgh if I recall). Four lines crossing the city (60km), and a fifth in plan. Validate your ticket on the tram, most people do so, bikes are allowed. Never seen a 'ticket inspector'. There's a system (Velomagg, in the summer) to pick up a hire bike to use to get to the beach (ok you need to switch to a bus from the tram to get to the bike hire), but all in the cost of a ticket. Seamless. It can't be difficult.

    Also many cycle paths alongside roads and streets in the city.

    Oh, and there's a cycle path from the city along the river out to the beach at Palavas. Got punctured there once and a nice local stopped and gave me his emergency pressure foam repair cylinder.

    Posted 9 years ago #

43. chdot
    Admin

    https://twitter.com/firstinglasgow/status/927575757014163456

    Posted 6 years ago #

44. steveo
    Member

    Still hate those retched ticket machines...

    Posted 6 years ago #

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