Unnoticed problem

I catch the train everyday to go to work, and I am well aware that commuters often have a bone to pick with Cityrail, usually relating to the trains being late and/or filthy. Me personally, the complaints I have regarding train travel are ones that Cityrail can't really take the blame for, rather, it's the train stations themselves. These are problems that can ruin one's day and yet no one really pays attention to them. They don't occur very often, but when they do it is a frustrating experience. I call them the 'Chatty customers' problem and the 'One attendant serves all' problem.

I'm sure you're aware of this experience. You're waiting in line to get a ticket, wondering why only ONE ticket window is open to serve everyone, and the line is delayed thanks to the customer up front bothering the ticket attendant. Look, if they're enquiring about directions or information regarding transfers then that's fine. But stupid questions like which platforms do certain trains arrive or just bothering the attendants with stories is just not on. In regards to the former, there are train timetables available at the station that indicate the time trains arrive, as well as the platform they will stop in. As for telling stories, only an idiot would completely disregard the other customers just so they can regale working employees with unnecessary drivel regarding to their past train experiences. Did it ever occur to these people that the customers behind them are probably in a hurry and need to get their ticket right away? I was nearly late for work on several occassions thanks to these clowns. Also, some train stations require you to buy a ticket before you can use the toilets! Can you imagine standing in line, waiting to get a ticket, but having to use the toilet at the same time? I'd imagine that it's about as uncomfortable as listening to one of Ke$ha's songs on the radio.

Also, why bother the ticket attendant at all? There are other staff around the train station you can direct your questions to. Staff members who do not have a line of customers waiting to be served.

Why no one seems to be doing something about this problem is astonishing. Not only does it disrupt other commuters, but what about the attendants who are distracted from their work?

But of course, this problem is worsened by the fact that times, only one ticket window is open to serve everyone. This is another problem that boggles the mind. How is one person supposed to serve all these customers at once? Seriously, any train station that allows this to happen does not know a thing about efficiency. Ok, so maybe it's because the other ticket attendants are busy taking phone calls or are on lunch break, but surely there must be someone else who can fill in for them. No train station should ever be under-staffed.

Look, I'm not saying that this happens in all train stations, but it does occur at times in the smaller stations I've been to and I'm sure I'm not the only one who's had it up to here with this dilemma. My suggestion would be to introduce a new rule that only gives cutomers a maximum of TWO minutes at the ticket window, and once this time is up they will be asked to leave, even if they have to be dragged kicking and screaming by security. Also, a word of warning to the idiots who hold up lines, you may think that the ticket attendant listening to you go on and on is enjoying it, but the truth is that they would like to continue with their work, and the customers behind you are probably wishing they could shove you out of the way so they can have their turn.

As for train stations in general, please ensure that you have enough staff on hand to serve customers at ALL times. There shouldn't just be one ticket window available, there should be at least two or three. Having just one window open is not just inefficient, it's also inconvenient to most customers. Surely you'd rather have customers go on their journey with a big smile on their face than have them running for their train with psychotic thoughts swimming in their heads.