15 Jul 2026
Frustrated passengers faced long queues to access the ticket machines at St Albans City station this morning, with just one working device at the Platform 4 entrance.
It has since been revealed that Thameslink are permanently switching off a number of the machines due to changes in customer habits.
A spokesperson said: “Station ticket machines are an important option in our range of ways to pay. However, as more people switch to quick, sustainable digital options, we do periodically review how much each machine is used.
“Where a machine is relatively lightly used and, crucially, where there is an alternative machine or machines that can manage the demand, then we consider taking it out of service. Each ticket machine costs many thousands of pounds a year to maintain so this releases money we can invest in other services.
“We always make sure customers can still buy a ticket at the station by checking that other nearby machines provide the same functionality and accessibility.”
