Anyone who rides New Jersey Transit knows that very few suburban stations have ticket clerks any more. The only one I know of is Princeton Junction. But all of the stations I have been to have Ticket Vending Machines with NJT calls TVM’s. They are robust machines. I’ve never known one to break down although occasionally they do run out of change or tickets. But not usually. But there is one problem.
On a bright day, even when the sun does not shine directly on the screen, the screen is illegible. It can be absolutely impossible to see the print on it and it is often extremely difficult. An obvious solution would be to put up light barriers around the sided and over the top the the machines but NJT does not bother to do that. However, if you are unable to use a machine because it is illegible they are very quick to hit you with a $5 surcharge.
I have to believe many people have been victimized by NJT TVM’'s but I have never heard of anyone complain about it.
John, I thought that I was the only one who had trouble seeing the screen on the TVM. The machine at Essex Street on the Pascack Valley line faces due east; the screen is impossible to read in the morning. I’ve had a stranger voluntarily stand behind me using his newspaper as a sun screen so that I could buy my ticket.
I wrote a letter to NJ Transit Rail Operations two years ago suggesting that they turn the TVM a quarter turn to face north, which would solve the sun problem. Never got any response; the machine still faces east.
I’ve encountered problems at times, too. Placement of TVM has to be where light does not affect it somehow. Often a machine can be read but the position of the sun will make it difficult at other times, so just placing it out of the sun has to be done more carefully because of the times of day and year placement of the sun. Not only does the machine have to be in a covered area but also an additional visor, even adjustable, to help. Or screens have to be brighter and brightness adjusted automatically according to ambient light.
That’s no longer really viable as often station stops are no where near commercial venues nor are such venues open 24/7 or convenient to a majority of train times. I am 70 years old and I am impressed with these TVM machine, what can be done, rides and routes purchased at one time instead of at every stop and turn of a day. The fact that one can use credit or debit cards or cash is well and good. If any one thing that could be added would be a voice communication with someone if there is a problem or question but not to be an agent.
ATMs have the same problem. My bank had an eastward facing ATM that was unusable until about 1300 in the summer and 1400 in winter. Finally replaced the screen with a newer more expensive one and that seems to help about 75%.
I’m just a little older than you, Henry. And I agree with you completely. TVM’s do work well, are reasonably easy to use and always available. Except for the issue of legibility in bright light. And that could be easily resolved by simply puting a box like structure around the screen to keep out the excess light. But NJT just doesn’t care enough to do it.
This seems to be a characteristic of my transit agency. NJT really does do many things excellently, far better than they were done before NJT existed. But yet they miss important details and seem not to care that they have missed them.
I have no experience with NJT and their TVM’s, however, I have sometimes had difficulty at some ATM’s with the sun obliterating the legability of the screen. I also have trouble with ambient outdoor lighting making my laptop a seeming blank screen.
I like and am willing to use TVM’s. I am disappointed by the attempts of train crews having handheld computer terminals to sell and print tickets. I believe both MNRR and NJT have had some experiments but have only spoken with LIRR trainmen who have quite a disdain for them. But why?
What is so rough about it. I have NEVER used an ATM and I don’t find it at all inconvenient. In fact, I find it inconvenient waiting for a co-worker to go to an ATM before we can go to lunch.
Our light rail TVMs have the same problem. Fortunately, the station where I buy my tickets has two machines, facing in opposite directions, on the platform that have the glare problem on bright days, but there are 4 more in the parking ramp that are never in direct sunlight. I have found that you can shield the screen from glare with your hand while operating it with the other.
I’m with you here, Henry. All I’m asking is that NJT provide sufficient shading so I can read the TVM, I can’t see why that is so hard to do. But TVM’s and similar electronic devices are here to stay because the allow electronic technology to replace manual clerical technology. And manual clerical technology is not coming back.
New Jersey Transit has replied to my complaint. Here is the response:
Dear John,
Thank you for contacting NJ TRANSIT about your experience using our Ticket Vending Machines (TVM).
I apologize for the glare, which made it difficult for you to see the screen while purchasing your tickets. Unfortunately, the conductors cannot wave the surcharge is the TVM is operational.
However, I have forwarded your feedback to our TVM technicians. This issue will be investigated so the appropriate corrective action can be taken.
Again, thank you for writing and for your support of NJ TRANSIT.
Sincerely,
Christel Thomas NJ TRANSIT Customer Service Team
Of course I’ll be looking for the correction next time I ride a train from Upper Montclair.