Management of ticketing media

Different media require different controls. All ticket media requiring manual intervention are inherently more exposed to fraud and miscreance than automated systems. Customized ticket media that require fare product printing at the point and time of issue requires less security, in that the media has no value without access to a ticket issuing device that prints the trip or product particulars at the time of issue.

Pre-numbered paper tickets with a specific face value require their secure printing, transportation, bulk storage, and then local distribution to crew or ticket agents. Sometimes a wholesaler acts as an intermediary for the storage and local distribution of the stocks. Both wholesalers and agents may accrue a discount on ticket face values as a sales commission.
This procedure is bureaucratic and requires the creation of a continuous [often manual] record of accountability. It can involve significant recording of all movements of the bulk and distributed tickets through the production and supply chain. Any loss of tickets represents potential value for unauthorized use and revenue loss.

Blank tickets without a face value that are validated by printing fare characteristics at the point of issue will require less ticket roll stock accounting but will retain some form of accounting of usage which requires regular reconciliation. Where the paper is used in thermal or dot-matrix ticket printing machines, it will require suitable protection from heat and damp during storage.