Ticket inspectors remain crucial on the UK train network, but face many challenges. Here, Gabriel Kim, head of sales DACH at BIXOLON Europe, discusses the role of mobile printing technology in addressing these challenges and empowering ticket inspectors to carry out their duties.
In the UK railway sector, where more than 1.61 billion journeys were taken between April 2023 and March 2024, the role of ticket inspectors remains crucial. Despite strides towards e-ticketing and digital solutions, there remains a significant demand for physical tickets and receipts, particularly for VAT purposes, overall convenience and peace of mind.
But the need to produce physical tickets is set against challenges in the sector, including an imminent staff shortage crisis and the enduring issue of fare evasion in an increasingly congested and pressurised railway network. These issues are not unique to the UK, and are also prevalent across Europe. In the Netherlands, for example, rail companies have been forced to cancel services due to lack of staff.
State of play
At present, the UK rail sector is grappling with a crippling staff shortage and an impending shortfall of about 75,000 personnel by 2030, through retirement or otherwise. This shortage not only strains operational efficiency but also places significant pressure on existing railway staff, including ticket inspectors. Trains are becoming busier due to industrial action and service adjustments, similar to trends across Europe. In Germany, for example, local rail services, including S-Bahn, saw a 14% increase in passenger numbers in the first half of 2023 compared to the previous year. In both countries, ticket inspectors find themselves wading through crowded carriages, often standing for prolonged periods, all while needing to swiftly validate tickets and issue essential receipts to those that require them.
Furthermore, the prevalence of fare evasion adds complexity to their responsibilities. Inspectors must not only verify the tickets of passengers efficiently but also address instances of fare dodging promptly and effectively. This demands vigilance and specialised tools to ensure accuracy and speed in their duties. A report by the Rail Delivery Group estimates that fare dodging costs the UK rail industry £240 million per year – highlighting the severity of the problem. The rise in fare evasion underscores the necessity for inspectors to be equipped to issue new tickets and penalty notices on the spot. This also serves as a deterrent to further fare dodging and recoups lost revenue.
Mobile printing solutions
To meet these challenges, mobile printing technology has emerged as a powerful solution. Equipping ticket inspectors with compact, lightweight mobile printers enables them to significantly enhance their capabilities. These devices are able to seamlessly integrate and connect with existing point of sale systems, facilitating real-time ticket issuance and receipt printing across diverse operational environments, both online and offline. All this is supported by a strong and long-lasting battery life across devices.
Mobile printing technology is also important because it allows for greater flexibility and customisation in ticketing. Inspectors can print a variety of ticket types and formats on demand, ensuring that all necessary information is captured and printed accurately.
This adaptability not only enhances the efficiency of the ticket issuance process; but also improves the overall passenger experience by reducing wait times and ensuring clear, legible tickets and receipts. This is necessary during journeys where honest, well-meaning passengers need to be able to pay for tickets quickly in situations where they might need to get off the train and move onto the next part of their journey, or just depart the train following the attendance of the conductor.
Enhanced mobility and safety
Another key benefit of mobile printing technology is its ability to enhance the mobility and safety of ticket inspectors. These devices are designed to be lightweight and compact, making them easy to carry around on belts or harnesses and operate in crowded train environments. For inspectors who often stand for long periods, the ergonomic design of lightweight mobile printers helps to reduce the physical strain of the job.
Additionally, the ability to print tickets and receipts on the go fast without having to return to a fixed point of sale allows inspectors to maintain a continuous presence throughout the train, thereby improving passenger interaction and reducing the likelihood of fare evasion. Speed of printing is important because passengers don’t want to wait around if they need a ticket to be printed fast by conductors – in the event that this does happen, it can cause some passengers to behave rudely and inappropriately. Therefore, fast printing, in some circumstances, can help to reduce the abuse that rail staff sadly experience on a daily basis.
Another important point related to these kinds of printers is that they need to be rugged. Traveling around train stations and between trains sees these tools and pieces of equipment pitted against hard wearing environments, seeing them take on a variety of spills and knocks. Therefore, it’s important that printers and their related equipment can withstand the rail environments that this sort of equipment operate within.
Conclusion
The integration of mobile printing technology represents a significant advancement in enhancing the efficacy and safety of rail ticket inspectors. By addressing the challenges posed by staff shortages, overcrowded trains, and fare evasion through innovative solutions, the use of mobile printing devices empowers inspectors to perform their duties with greater ease and confidence. As the UK and other European countries navigate the ongoing challenges in public transportation, it is crucial to continue investing in technologies that optimise operational processes while prioritising the wellbeing of frontline staff.
By embracing mobile printing technology, rail companies and ticket inspectors can bridge the gap between traditional ticketing methods and modern efficiency standards, while at the same time improving safety and reducing illegal fare dodging. Armed with the right tools and technology, we can ensure that railways remain resilient and responsive to passenger needs.