COMMUTERS have slammed a train operator after they struggled to buy their tickets at the station.

Travellers departing from Braintree station on August 15 were shocked to find that not only was the ticket office shut, but the card facility on the electronic machine was not working either.

One commuter, Pete Guest, was unable to buy his monthly ticket at the station and had to get off at Witham to find somewhere that accepted a card payment.

Mr Guest said: “Me and many others who commute into the capital are paying upwards of £5,000 a year for the ‘privilege’ of travelling to and from work.

“The least people should be able to expect is a ticket machine that works and someone in the booking office.

“I went to the station early to renew my monthly travel card and was shocked that the ticket machine wasn’t accepting card payments and that there wasn’t even anyone in the ticket office to take my money.

“I tell people it costs me upwards on £5,000 a year to travel to work and they look at me like I’m crazy.”

The electronic machine eventually stopped working completely, and remained out of order until the weekend.

The issue comes just weeks after it was announced Abellio Greater Anglia had received the East Anglian rail franchise until 2025.

Its ambitious pledges include services to Ipswich in 60 minutes, new trains built by Bombardier, free Wi-Fi on trains and stations, less crowding and more weekday services, including from Braintree.

But concerns have already been raised by groups such as the Witham and Braintree Rail Users Association about whether or not Abellio will be able to deliver on these promises.

An Abellio Greater Anglia spokesperson said: “We would like to apologise to passengers travelling from Braintree who have experienced problems while trying to purchase tickets this week.

“The ticket machine is currently out of order and engineers have been called to fix the problem.

“The ticket office opening hours were reduced this week owing to a member of staff requiring emergency leave, but it is now open as normal.”

The ticket machine was confirmed to be working again on Monday August 22.