Timely Ticket scanning

[MARC Rider]

Forget about flex dining and whether Amtrak will replace the Superliners with Bilevels or not, this is I think a more pressing problem for Amtrak riders:

I saw this is a Facebook discussion. Guy gets on the Acela in Boston, but the conductor doesn't come by to scan the tickets until well after Providence. Meanwhile someone gets on in Providence and claims he's sitting in the assigned seat for the first guy. The guy who gets on in Boston checks his ticket on the app and finds it's gone. He manages to pull up the barcode from an email when the conductor comes by, and things get sorted out, but apparently, he was listed as a "no-show," his reservation got cancelled, and the other person was able to buy the seat. I have wondered about this, because I have been on a lot of NEC trains where the conductors don't come by and scan tickets in a timely manner. I've boarded in Washington and have needed to search out the conductor on the platform in Baltimore as I'm getting off just to ensure that my ticket gets scanned. Other times, my ticket gets scanned without my knowing about it. If they're going to have all-reserved seating with a no-show cancellation "feature," they should at least find some way to ensure that people who board a train actually get their tickets scanned in a timely matter.

Fortunately in this case, the conductor was being reasonable, but I could imagine some conductors ejecting the poor person off the train for not having a reservation.

 

[jis]

I thought that what was posted was a bit fuzzy on exactly what happened. If the fellow had a round trip ticket WAS - BOS - WAS then it is possible that the failure to scan happened in his outbound leg where he was ticketed WAS - BOS, but by his own admission boarded the train at BWI. He did not mention anyone scanning his ticket after that. So it is possible that his itinerary was canceled as no show back then and it would have been caught if someone had scanned his ticket on that leg.

I just think that that is a possible scenario that fits his fuzzy description. So it is hard to tell exactly where the scan failure happened, but even if it did not happen, it is quite possible (though I'd see unusual) that he could have gotten "no-showed" before he boarded on a WAS - BOS ticket at BWI.

Anyway, the basic point stands that Conductors need to be more diligent in actually checking all tickets sooner rather than later. In such heavy travel situation requiring presenting of the ticket at a platform barrier to get to the train is even better. Most places that take their trains seriously seem to be going in that direction these days.

 

[Mystic River Dragon]

I always print the ticket and carry it in my pocket. Paper is always a good backup.

 

[jis]

I always print the ticket and carry it in my pocket. Paper is always a good backup.

However, if it is not scanned, then even if it was on Moses' Tablets it would do no good

 

[Stremba]

I noticed this on a recent BBY-PGH trip my family and I took. We were in coach on the NER, so there was no question of our assigned seats being bought by someone else, but the conductor did not scan tickets until we were almost to Kingston RI. I am just thankful it did not show up as a no show since that would have cancelled our PHL-PGH trip on the Pennsylvanian.

 

[jis]

I noticed this on a recent BBY-PGH trip my family and I took. We were in coach on the NER, so there was no question of our assigned seats being bought by someone else, but the conductor did not scan tickets until we were almost to Kingston RI. I am just thankful it did not show up as a no show since that would have cancelled our PHL-PGH trip on the Pennsylvanian.

The Conductor has to notify that he is done scanning for anything to become no show. Apparently s/he was aware that scanning was not complete and did not notify the system as such, so nothing would have been converted to no show.

 

[Bob Dylan]

I 've had this happen a couple of times involving Sleeping Cars on the Texas Eaglette where Amtrak sold my room to someone else before the Train got to my Stop,( Austin)so I'm thinking this is a "Bug" in the System that allows Reservations to be "Double Sold" before tickets are Scanned???

 

[railiner]

Dare I suggest…Amtrak go to “self scanning”?
Sort of like me tapping my Tri-Rail card before and after riding. Maybe even have self scanners on the trains?

Then conductors would only have to do “spot checks”, and devote most of their time to other operational responsibilities…

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Dare I suggest…Amtrak go to “self scanning”? Sort of like me tapping my Tri-Rail card before and after riding. Maybe even have self scanners on the trains? Then conductors would only have to do “spot checks”, and devote most of their time to other operational responsibilities…

I would imagine the vast majority of passengers have mobile phones that could use an improved mobile app to auto-lift when the train leaves a station's geofence. Passengers with physical tickets could do a platform scan similar to when you're approaching an airport gate just before you enter the jetway.

 

[BCL]

There could be the opposite, which is that after each stop a conductor just assumes that every passenger with a ticket for that train has boarded and mass lifts every ticket. I remember once there was a conductor working alone and he noted over the PA that I was worrying about that on an unreserved train since I was boarding on a later train.

 

[jis]

There could be the opposite, which is that after each stop a conductor just assumes that every passenger with a ticket for that train has boarded and mass lifts every ticket. I remember once there was a conductor working alone and he noted over the PA that I was worrying about that on an unreserved train since I was boarding on a later train.

I have had my unused ticket that I had not canceled since I was not going to get any refund anyway, get mass lifted while I was not on the train, and I getting AGR points credit for the journey. Has happened to me several times so far. Since I don’t look a gift horse in the mouth I just did not mention it to anyone. It even happened during double AGR points periods!

 

[BCL]

I have had my unused ticket that I had not canceled since I was not going to get any refund anyway, get mass lifted while I was not on the train, and I getting AGR points credit for the journey. Has happened to me several times so far. Since I don;t look a gift horse in the mouth I just did not mention it to anyone. It even happened during double AGR points periods!

I've talked to conductors (almost always on Capitol Corridor) who said to not worry about it if somehow I don't get my ticket scanned and to use if later if I really wanted it. I've never done anything to try and hide from conductors though.

But that case I mentioned was on the Pacific Surfliner. It didn't seem like he had enough time to check everyone's ticket since they had to make do with a single conductor until they got a relief crew. I don't think our ticket was scanned until LAUS, and we boarded in Santa Barbara. But what I was getting at was that a conductor on the (earlier) train we were scheduled to board hadn't lifted the ticket, so we still had it available to use. And if it were lifted, I'm pretty sure that the conductor would have been OK with it if I explained the situation since they know how it might have went down.

 

[RebelRider]

The Conductor has to notify that he is done scanning for anything to become no show. Apparently s/he was aware that scanning was not complete and did not notify the system as such, so nothing would have been converted to no show.

You are referring to the Sweep button. I don't think it actually affects no show processing. I've seen no shows process even when I've not used the sweep function.

The delays in scanning tickets are seeing are more likely related to short staffing.

 

[jis]

You are referring to the Sweep button. I don't think it actually affects no show processing. I've seen no shows process even when I've not used the sweep function.

The delays in scanning tickets are seeing are more likely related to short staffing.

I think it would be good to know if there is a written policy about when an itinerary is recognized as no show. From what I am reading it seems like an agent who notices that a ticket has not been lifted at some random time when they have another customer looking for seat can perhaps no show it and sell it again. That, if true, is very bad practice. But of course since Amtrak almost has the inside track on many bad practices, I suppose that might be par for the course.

 

[TinCan782]

The other thing that can happen is that you do not get your points because you "did not take the trip".
I recently had to request missing points for my return trip on the Pacific Surfliner, probably because my ticket was not scanned.
I got the points, by the way.

 

[daybeers]

As much as I enjoy the unrestricted platform access in much of the US, except where gate dragons rule like at CHI, ALB, and certain NEC stations, I sympathize with the ticket lifting issue. Conductors shouldn't have to be ticket inspectors on top of the safety and security responsibility they hold. I had to chase down a conductor just today so as to not lose my precious points.

The solution is not to have the ticket scanned at the boarding door when people are struggling with their luggage and it's difficult to retrieve a paper or phone, which I've seen before by Amtrak crews on the Hartford Line in years past. Thankfully they have stopped that.

Faregates can be useful, but you still have the fumbling for the ticket issue, not to mention kids, luggage, bikes, etc. And how can you seal a station with many entry points but not much ridership? Is it worth the cost (installation and maintenance) for faregates at, say, Old Saybrook, CT? Isn't there something like a "platform ticket" for when a non-passenger wants to hang out on the platforms in countries with more streamlined passenger rail?

It seems it warrants a different solution on the higher ridership routes and stations than others, namely the LD trains.

Maybe this will make the cafe car seating issue worse, though...sigh...

 

[TaseMeBro]

The other thain that can happen is that you do not get your points because you "did not take the trip".
I recently had to request missing points for my return trip on the Pacific Surfliner, probably because my ticket was not scanned.
I got the points, by the way.

Interesting. On two occasions over the past few years, I've no-showed for Surfliner reservations (in Biz, for whatever that's worth). I just got delayed and couldn't make it. They were relatively inexpensive tickets, and I didn't pursue any refunds, changes, later use, etc.

I still had points post, for both of them, though.

 

[trimetbusfan]

Riding sold out cascade trains I have heard the conductor say something along the lines of ‘if you have not had your ticket scanned yet, please flag one of us down as we walk through the train. If your ticket doesn’t get scanned the rest of your reservation will be canceled’.

I believe I saw somewhere on here (or possibly on Facebook) that Amtrak was hoping to change this policy, but haven’t heard anything.

For this reason, I always am worried about my ticket not getting scanned… Especially in sleepers where conductors will usually not stop by rooms, rather just ask your car attendant if you showed up and ‘manually’ lift your ticket. I understand why they do this but it’s a little stressful for me (especially considering these tickets cost a lot of money and if there is a connection involved, I don’t want that segment to be canceled).

 

[cirdan]

However, if it is not scanned, then even if it was on Moses' Tablets it would do no good

On many German trains you can now "self-scan" your ticket, or at least click on a link on the electronic ticket to confirm that you are now sitting in your assigned seat. I think this shows up on the conductor's handheld device and the conductor will not disturb you as long as you remain in that seat.

 

[cirdan]

The Conductor has to notify that he is done scanning for anything to become no show. Apparently s/he was aware that scanning was not complete and did not notify the system as such, so nothing would have been converted to no show.

I wonder what happens if somebody needs to go to the bathroom. If a conductor does not show up within a reasonable amount of time you can't really prevent people from wandering off. Likewise visiting the cafeteria or such. Surely it should be in Amtrak's interest that people should feel free to use this facility.

 

[jis]

I have had my ticket scanned in cafe or in the vestibule. You don’t have to be in your seat to have your ticket scanned.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

I have had my ticket scanned in cafe or in the vestibule. You don’t have to be in your seat to have your ticket scanned.

Yep. If I get up and happen to see the conductor I show him/her my ticket to be scanned. Or, in some instances, on my shorter rides, I'll hunt them down as we get close to my destination.

 

[jis]

Yep. If I get up and happen to see the conductor I show him/her my ticket to be scanned. Or, in some instances, on my shorter rides, I'll hunt them down as we get close to my destination.

The classic case was at the Berkeley Station as I recall when our entire group cornered a Conductor on the platform to get scanned!

 

[Nick Farr]

I don't think I've ever had my ticket scanned while in a sleeper in either the CZ or LSL.

 

[TinCan782]

I don't think I've ever had my ticket scanned while in a sleeper in either the CZ or LSL.

Same here on other LD trains. I believe that sometimes, the SCA will report your presence to the conductor.