Ticket checks at Taunton

[whole diary]

[JonG]

The gatelines are in place, and, according to a member of staff at the ticket office go into operation from this coming friday, 21 December.

2 Photos of the ticket office gateline below (apologies for the poor quality photos, taken on my phone):





I didn't have time to go & see the down side gateline, will hope to over the next few days.

<JG>

[vacmanfan]

One exit that will be problematical is that to the south side car park and bus stop. I suspect this will be manned by a single member of staff and not feature automatic barriers; again, similar to the arrangement for the down side car park at Bath Spa.

Ticket barriers should never be single manned.  For obvious reasons.

[Snapper]

Called at Taunton today to find Pl 2 arch manned by 3 revenue staff, but new entrance from car park, barriered but not open.  I was prepared to splash out on a return to Bridgwater to test the system but was told the down side ticket machine was "still in Germany", but I could go through to the up side and use the machine there.

Having  made it to the tunnel I opted for a coffee and paper from Pumpkin and found it strangely deserted.  The usual crowd of "residents" seem to have been scared off or maybe it was just too chilly.

After refreshments I approached the barriered and well manned pl 5 exit and confessed that I had come from pl 2 and just gone to Pumpkin.  "Should I go back or could I leave through the barriers" I asked.  "Your convenience is our convenience" replied a managerial type (not local) with a smile.  His colleague looked as if he hoped the roof would collapse on me, but stood aside while I exited through the barriers.

Nothing conclusive, apart from a feeling that once the ticket machine is in place, in the car park entrance, access without a ticket will be difficult.  No doubt railway photographers, with valid tickets, will be tolerated but have to go through the "security" mill.  Sales of OAP day returns to Bridgy will soar!  Sic transit gloria............

Brian

[JayMac]

Nothing conclusive, apart from a feeling that once the ticket machine is in place, in the car park entrance, access without a ticket will be difficult. 

It shouldn't be difficult, and I hope it isn't. I also hope the gateline staff don't suggest to folk that they walk down the slope, along Station Rd, under the bridge and turn right.

If the ticket required can be purchased from the TVM^▸ (Ticket Vending Machine) then fine. But the TVM will not sell Advance Purchase, GroupSave, Rovers and Rangers. It won't sell tickets with an origin other than Taunton. It will not accept Rail Travel Vouchers or Warrants. It may not accept the method of payment the customers wishes to use.

[Wilf19]

I hope they don't send everyone on the get p**ped on by the pigeons walk under the bridge either, especially as the long term car park and main bike racks are the down  side. Said pigeons that someone (allegedly) spent loads of money trying to evict and caused weeks of traffic chaos in the process - and it looks like they failed.

I witnessed the nice new looking barriers on the up side when I left on Sunday afternoon - open an unmanned then. Will be interesting to so see what is happening on the down side when I get back to Taunton tomorrow evening and what level of Friday evening chaos that creates.

[Chris from Nailsea]

... pigeons that someone (allegedly) spent loads of money trying to evict and caused weeks of traffic chaos in the process - and it looks like they failed.

Network Rail spent ^300,000 on the scheme, apparently: we discussed it at http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=9490.0 

[broadgage]

This Monday there was a noticeable absence of "care in the community" type persons hanging out on platform 5, which was a welcome change.
Since the gates were open it would seem that the mere presence of gates, and the fact that they are sometimes used, has scared off the care in the community types.

[Tim]

One exit that will be problematical is that to the south side car park and bus stop. I suspect this will be manned by a single member of staff and not feature automatic barriers; again, similar to the arrangement for the down side car park at Bath Spa.

Ticket barriers should never be single manned.  For obvious reasons.

Well the car park gate at Bath is.  It is arguable as to whether it counts as a "ticket barrier" or just an emergency exit which they will get you though as a favour.  the automatic barriers are always double manned. 

[Snapper]

If by "South side" you mean pl 2, there is now a posh, glass and steel covered entrance corridor leading from the car park with bus timetable boards attached.  This entrance is equipped with at least a 2-road set of barriers but not operating when I visited this week.

Brian

[EBrown]

This Monday there was a noticeable absence of "care in the community" type persons hanging out on platform 5, which was a welcome change.
Since the gates were open it would seem that the mere presence of gates, and the fact that they are sometimes used, has scared off the care in the community types.

Clarify the intended meaning of care in the community types please.

[JayMac]

The gentleman and his wheelchair-bound son have been absent from platform 5 on the last few occasions I've been at Taunton station.

Whether this is related to the barriers I know not.

But along with Ebrown I'm a little uncomfortable with the term 'care in the community types' and I fail to see how the absence of these people is a 'welcome change'.

Yes, a railway station is intended for use by those travelling, but folk who just like to watch the trains go by shouldn't be made to feel unwelcome, as long as they are not causing a nuisance.

The growing trend does however appear to be that railway stations are only to be welcoming to those who've purchased a ticket to travel. At least in locations where barriers are present.

Possibly another example of barriers being used for more than their only intended purpose - revenue protection.

[trainer]

I grew up watching trains with my grandad on the platform of Highbridge Station (when it still had S&D^▸ (Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway) platforms!) and the 'train bug' got me then.  I have stood on platforms just watching life (and trains) go by in many countries and am pleased to still be able to take small children to Yatton where we can safely sit on a bench for half and hour (or even better in the Strawberry Line Cafe) and watch trains. There are some who may say such behaviour shows I need caring for, but I prefer to think that this has been a sensible part of our culture for many years and whatever the merits or otherwise of the ticket barriers, they have changed the daily interaction of people with railways.  Whenever a station is barred to casual callers, a further psychological barrier is created to those might be lured to become regular travellers because trains will be seen as something divorced from easy, everyday access.

[Snapper]

I couldn't agree more that people should be allowed to watch trains and be indulged, even if their manner is a bit eccentric. 

However, I have witnessed a member of this particular group "assisting" the dispatch team by running down platform 5  slamming HST^▸ (High Speed Train) doors with much gusto and shouting, to the amazement  of passengers who found this action, by a member of the public, confusing.  Staff were unable to stop him short of physical restraint and I wondered, at the time, how much longer such behaviour could go on before the powers-that-be took action on 'elf 'n' safety grounds. 

Maybe they did and the absence of the group has nothing to do with the new barriers.

[broadgage]

This Monday there was a noticeable absence of "care in the community" type persons hanging out on platform 5, which was a welcome change.
Since the gates were open it would seem that the mere presence of gates, and the fact that they are sometimes used, has scared off the care in the community types.

Clarify the intended meaning of care in the community types please.

To me it means those of aparently limited mental capacity who used to hang around at Taunton, not commiting any specific legal offence, but being generaly anti social, and seldom being observed to use the train service.
Those whom I never observed to steal anything from the shop, but who looked as though they hoped to, and about whom the shop staff seemed very dubious.
Those who never attempted to steal my telephone or laptop  , but in whose presence I felt uneasy using these items.
Those who "took over" most of the seating on platform 5, and made others feel uncomfortable about trying to sit down.
Those who seemed to come equiped for some hours with packed lunches, thermos flasks and cans of beer.

And those of whom we see less of after the gates were installed.

[JayMac]

Perception is a very dangerous thing. Before the barriers I was not aware of any major problems.

I know someone who, until recently, worked in the ticket office at Taunton. He always said that the folk who spent all day on platform 5 were a harmless bunch. Okay, so they may have been taking up seating outside the 'refreshment room' that should really be for paying customers only, but is that really a grave crime?

To intimate that they may commit petty theft given half a chance really is out of order. One of the group regularly seen there in days gone by is now actually employed by the railways.

Have you ever tried striking up a conversation with these 'characters' broadgage?

I have. And your impression of them couldn't be any further from the truth.

It really does shock me when I read someone saying that these folk look as though they hope to steal something. What evidence do you have for that except your own prejudice? As for taking over most of the seating on P5. One table for Christ's sake (I'd say something stronger if I wasn't a moderator). Walk to another part of the platform if their presence offends you that deeply.