Printed at point of issue


Ticket-issuing machines print the tickets at the point and time of issue.

The format, robustness and information contained on the ticket will reflect the issue context, the potential diversity in where / how the ticket will be used, and for how long or how many trips the ticket may be used.  It will also reflect whether the ticket is intended for visual inspection or to be read by a machine.

These tickets are normally issued on paper if they are intended as proof-of-payment, for visual inspection, and for single / few uses. They are issued on cardboard or other robust material if they are intended to be machine-read or for multiple usage.

Tickets printed at point of issue may be initiated by an employee (driver, conductor, ticket kiosk agent) or by the customer (self-service machine). Depending on the fare product range and rules, and the operational arrangements, paper tickets printed at point of issue will be in one of three contexts:

  • Issued at the point of travel (e.g. by driver or conductor on the vehicle). In this case, the customer is already on the vehicle and the ticket is essentially a receipt or proof of payment. The ticket covers the current trip and may also be valid for subsequent boardings (e.g. authorized transfer, return trip, multi-journey ticket).
  • Issued away from the point of travel, but intended for immediate use. This includes kiosks at or near the bus-stop or the platform in a passenger terminal. The ticket must facilitate the boarding/inspection process as well as acting as proof of payment.
  • Intended for later use, possibly at points remote from point of issue. These may be issued at transport offices, agents, kiosks, terminals, etc.

The ticket will contain whatever information is required to support the boarding and ticket inspection processes, anti-fraud and security processes, and to function as a customer receipt. At a minimum, this normally includes the date/time of issue, the value of the ticket, the fare product type/code, passenger class (e.g. adult, child), unique ticket number, and issuing machine number. Depending on the fare product and context, the ticket may also include information about the space, time and modal limits of validity, permitted transfers, permitted number of boardings, number of passengers covered by the ticket. 

Benefits of tickets printed at point of issue are:

  • The ticket is specific to the individual customer’s transaction
  • The information on the ticket can be set to suit the fare product, issue context, use context, etc.
  • The information can be varied over time, as required
  • The consumables are usually inexpensive and readily available (paper, ink cartridges)
  • The ticket stock has no value (other than the consumable cost) until the ticket is actually issued
  • The tickets are machine issued. These usually have an audit trail. In more advanced machines, each individual transaction is recorded. In simpler machines, counters record the cumulative ticket sales and issue value
  • Tickets can be used to convey messages to customers or for advertising

Cautions with regard to tickets issued at point of issue are:

  • Machines for issuing tickets need to be purchased and maintained.
  • The ticket printing mechanisms and their consumables may experience problems, especially in hot, damp or humid conditions.
  • The supply and control of consumables needs to be managed and monitored.
  • The information on the tickets supports better boarding control and ticket inspection, but does not replace the need for effective procedures. 
You are here Technologies Tickets Printed at point of issue