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> I think there's a growing problem with digital competency in some of these organisations. TfL in particular have not kept up with the times, and their once re

> I think there's a growing problem with digital competency in some of these organisations. TfL in particular have not kept up with the times, and their once revolutionary ticketing infrastructure and software (I say "their", but it's really all just outsourced to Cubic, there's very little in-house expertise or day-to-day ownership when it comes to this stuff) feels quite dated now. I've noticed this too. Tend to visit the UK annually or so over the last 15 years and the general quality of the machine interfaces goes down over time. The good ones are almost no different from how they were in 2005. The part they have improved on is the contactless integration with phones which does just work so dramatically reducing the need to use the rest.

matt-p 2y ago
"worse" doesn't ring true, they have really just stayed the same. IMO this is fine, as I've not needed to use a machine in a year or two. You buy rail tickets on your phone with QR code tickets and tap in and out of TFL with your choice of phone/watch/card/oyster. We don't need to revamp the buying a physical ticket machines, why? Who do they serve, only really tourists who don't know they just need to use thier card to tap in or use a website or app to buy either QR code or pick up train tickets.
- fidotron 2y ago
  No, they are absolutely worse. I can still recall the GWR machines glitching out by themselves on my last visit, even without anyone near them. The absence of quality control was immediately obvious. The other thing that is obvious is the attention to detail in signage has declined. The electronic displays on the Elizabeth Line are flat out amateurish. I can understand how if you live there you wouldn’t notice as it is like the boiling frog.
  - matt-p 2y ago
    Oh yes, to be fair those are bad - they're the ones where they've removed the physical keyboard if I remember correctly. Elizabeth Line - the move to LCD screens was probably a move to make it feel more modern, no doubt at great cost. I never really have an issue with them though, maybe boiling a frog thing :)

matt-p 2y ago

"worse" doesn't ring true, they have really just stayed the same. IMO this is fine, as I've not needed to use a machine in a year or two. You buy rail tickets on your phone with QR code tickets and tap in and out of TFL with your choice of phone/watch/card/oyster. We don't need to revamp the buying a physical ticket machines, why? Who do they serve, only really tourists who don't know they just need to use thier card to tap in or use a website or app to buy either QR code or pick up train tickets.

fidotron 2y ago
No, they are absolutely worse. I can still recall the GWR machines glitching out by themselves on my last visit, even without anyone near them. The absence of quality control was immediately obvious. The other thing that is obvious is the attention to detail in signage has declined. The electronic displays on the Elizabeth Line are flat out amateurish. I can understand how if you live there you wouldn’t notice as it is like the boiling frog.
- matt-p 2y ago
  Oh yes, to be fair those are bad - they're the ones where they've removed the physical keyboard if I remember correctly. Elizabeth Line - the move to LCD screens was probably a move to make it feel more modern, no doubt at great cost. I never really have an issue with them though, maybe boiling a frog thing :)