Thread by @PaulDJohnston

So @LNRailway I went on a train yesterday. Used an e-ticket. Had forgotten to download and activate it *before I got on the train*. Only just caught the train. No problem since it's an off peak day return ticket and a valid train...?

Apparently, that's not allowed? Ludicrous!

The point is...
1) I've bought a ticket
2) It's a valid ticket for this train
3) It's not like I'm trying to get out of paying
4) The "download + activate" part of the app is... frankly a bit weird
5) Have I said I've bought the ticket already?
...

6) What happens if I download it and activate it on the device prior to getting on the train and my device runs out? I HAVE NO TICKET TO SHOW YOU! So it makes sense to activate it when it's checked (since I've already paid remember?)
7) Why not just download it when I buy it?
...

8) Your guard had one job: to check valid tickets (mine was) and not to make me feel like I was doing something bad - he was grumpy
9) If you want me to remember to download it beforehand, PUT GATES UP AT EUSTON (!!!)
10) Stop blaming customers for your poor UX
...

I can't see the point of telling a valid paying passenger that they did something wrong when the technology was being used in a perfectly reasonable way.

It's *not my fault* if your app is poorly designed.

You should not blame me if I use it in what seems a reasonable way.

This might feel like a rant, but frankly it's not my job to know how your ticketing system works and how your guards are meant to check the tickets. If your app doesn't help me to get my ticket properly, and *I* get told off by the guard, then it's YOUR fault.

Don't get me wrong, I love the e-tickets. I think they're great. But the whole download and activate thing feels completely ridiculous for any type of single or day return. At least have the ability to move a ticket to a different device if the other one runs out of battery.

Just tell the guards to be nicer to people please. Mr Grumpy Guard was really not what I needed last night. He probably thought he was doing his job, but frankly all he did was make me annoyed, and make me want to rant about your inability to build a good mobile app.