Platform Tickets

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thanks for that very well-reasoned post, Oxman. 

So, if you say to the gateline staff, can I go on to the platform to kiss my girl/boyfriend goodbye, the answer should be no - do it on the concourse side of the gateline You would not be allowed to go airside at an airport to kiss someone goodbye, so why expect to do it at a station.

The problem there, I think, is that we're comparing modern purpose-built airport facilities and layouts with rather less flexible (sometimes based on Victorian) railway station facilities - I refer to BTM^▸ (Bristol Temple Meads (strictly, it should be BRI)), for example. 

However, I do agree with you on the barriers: I think they are good at separating ... er, the wheat from the chaff, if you'll pardon the expression? 

What I mean is, those passengers who have valid tickets for travel (which is most of them) can just use them to go through the barriers.  Those who don't have a ticket need to present themselves to a member of staff, to explain their reason for still wanting to go beyond the barriers.

So, the staff don't need to have any involvement with the majority of passengers (who go through the barriers with tickets): they can thus give their full attention to anyone who doesn't have a ticket, for whatever reason.  So, the barrier staff can then deal on an individual basis with those who want to escort an elderly relative aboard, nip to the loo, get some cash for a newspaper, meet someone in the cafeteria, reclaim some lost property, obtain a customer comment form from the enquiry desk, and so on.

And, in my experience, the barrier staff get it right, most times!

C. 

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

i love it when you go out of the back entrance of central and they have caught someone without a ticket... almost get the impression that they are going to get there head kicked in 

[Mookiemoo]

I'm pretty sure the facility to issue platform tickets exists within the Fujitsu STAR equipment that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) use for selling tickets from (most) booking offices.

However, exactly what the company policy is with regards to issuing them I do not know. Around the time barriers were installed at Paddington, FGW issued and information bulletin that contained the words "Platform tickets will not be available because people will have no need for them" referring to the availability of staff to assist anyone elderly or infirm in boarding trains.

A permit to travel is different - it's something you buy when actually boarding a train at a penalty fares station when there is no booking office/ticket machine available. It provides proof of where you boarded and when.

I hate to say this but given the quality of most of thebarrier staff and their English skills - I would NOT want to hand my mother over to them

I'd feel much happier getting her seated then handing her over to the train crew. 

[Mookiemoo]

Yes, but passengers changing trains can show their ticket to the barrier staff if the barriers themselves reject the ticket.

Non-travellers should have no need of the toilets, cash machines and cafeteria.

The other two do pose a problem, which should be fixed if possible.

A fare dodger could just say "I'm looking for lost property", and hope onto a train for Filton Abby Wood!

The barriers serve no purpose if dodgers can get past them, and if this is the case- then save money, and improve passenger flow by removing them!

It makes me angry: at Shrewsbury and Marylebone, you can be let through the barriers if you say you're travellign on W&S^▸ (Wrexham and Shropshire (Open Access Operator)). How selfish of W&S, possibly loosing LM^▸ (London Midland - recent franchise), Chiltern or ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) of revenue, when it would be no bother for thier passengers to buy a ticket at the station like everyone else!

[/rant]

Except if you buy the ticket on W&S you get a discounted price

Barriers DO NOT SAVE MONEY

If you are savvy - buy the cheapest ticket possible to get you through the barrier- Reading to Reading west will get you onto the platform at Reading to head west.  Less than ^2

[moonrakerz]

I never had a problem at Bristol Parkway when I used to take my daughter and her ginormous suitcase there. Just asked the barrier staff if I could carry her case through, they would open the side gate for me - and when I came back.
Did seem somehow to make the barriers a bit pointless !
I never tried it at Chippenham where I often saw one man selling tickets and three on the footbridge checking checking them.