Platform restrictions

[whole diary]

[bobm]

Probably OK if you are at Penzance and the next stop is St Erth, not quite so good if you are Reading and the next stop is Taunton...

[LiskeardRich]

Agreed bobm however if someone is incapable of boarding a train alone, then yes they should be accompanied.

[EBrown]

Perhaps only sell platform tickets at the same time as travel tickets or on production of travel tickets?

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) *do not* sell any platform tickets (except Didcot & Guildford) and that won't change ever.

[Southern Stag]

Perhaps only sell platform tickets at the same time as travel tickets or on production of travel tickets?

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) *do not* sell any platform tickets (except Didcot & Guildford) and that won't change ever.

It's not really platform tickets at Guildford either. You can get a bridge pass which allows you to cross the footbridge as it is a right of way but it states clearly on it that it doesn't allow access to the platforms, and at the steps to each platform there are signs clearly saying you aren't allowed on to the platforms with a bridge pass.

[bobm]

Perhaps only sell platform tickets at the same time as travel tickets or on production of travel tickets?

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) *do not* sell any platform tickets (except Didcot & Guildford) and that won't change ever.

I know they don't currently, I am suggesting they should.

[vacmanfan]

Why?

[bobm]

So people can gain access to platforms without having to ask for the goodwill of gateline staff to allow them to pass through.

[Chris from Nailsea]

When I took my daughter and her baby to Temple Meads to get the train to Didcot, I asked if I could go with her to help her on the train, and was waved through with a smile. It's the way it should be, and was much appreciated.

Indeed: that's the way to do it! 

[vacmanfan]

If you need to go though to assist someone fine.. (Not the whole family, 1 person is all that is needed to help on most occasions).   If you just want to wave frantically at the train then there is no need. 

What people need to do is think a bit more and travel within their constraints.  If Auntie Beryl can't carry her massive suitcase then clearly Auntie Beryl shouldn't be taking it.

There is also a very good assistance procedure in place across the rail network and always available to be used.  It also, in these days of financial trouble, help to keep people in a job. 

[swrural]

I've taken the trouble (bit of a search, but should have done this before corresponding here) to see what was available at TM^‡(resolve) (as an example of a large station) for disabled help  - and everything is, including wheelchair.  I assume thus that a member of staff will wheel you to the train and a ramp provided can get you on it.  Hopefully the train does not depart with the member of staff on it.    

I just wondered what happens if you are travelling to Maiden Newton, say.  How do you get out?

Can't be done, can it?
   

[grahame]

I just wondered what happens if you are travelling to Maiden Newton, say.  How do you get out?

Can't be done, can it?

Stay on the train via Weymouth as the northbound platform at Maiden Newton has step free access?   Train has ramps, Train Manager will help.

[Chris from Nailsea]

We currently have the same situation for those west-bound passengers for Nailsea & Backwell who need step free access: First Great Western will arrange a taxi from Bristol Temple Meads if requested in advance.

[EBrown]

Why?

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) reserve the right to refuse entry on to any FGW station.

FGW have Platform tickets at some stations for example Reading where a pass is given out to individuals to take elderly or disabled customers to the train and these are then returned to the gate line on your way out. The issues with these are that they can be just a way in to the network and it is the gateline supervisors discretion to allow this pass to be issued.

Platform tickets remain unsold by GW^▸ (Great Western) except at Didcot to access the Museum.

[swrural]

We currently have the same situation for those west-bound passengers for Nailsea & Backwell who need step free access: First Great Western will arrange a taxi from Bristol Temple Meads if requested in advance.

Astonishing.  Since I joined this discussion site, the stories about use of taxis by FGW^▸ (First Great Western), also for late running and cancellations, has left me flabbergasted.  How on earth does FGW make a profit, or is it doing so because the 'cap and collar' subsidies are just picking up the tab somehow.

In BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) days, one was simply told that journey times were not guaranteed and that was that. I do not recall any provision for taxis whatsoever. As for disabled pax, I suppose the point is that, to take the examples, Nalisea and Maiden Newton would have both been staffed and pax taken over the barrow crossing.   

[grahame]

We currently have the same situation for those west-bound passengers for Nailsea & Backwell who need step free access: First Great Western will arrange a taxi from Bristol Temple Meads if requested in advance.

In BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) days, one was simply told that journey times were not guaranteed and that was that. I do not recall any provision for taxis whatsoever. As for disabled pax, I suppose the point is that, to take the examples, Nalisea and Maiden Newton would have both been staffed and pax taken over the barrow crossing.   

These days, various laws such as the disability discrimination ones say that service businesses have to take all reasonable steps to provide a service that's at least equal in quality to the service provided to able-bodied people.   It doesn't say "the same service" nor does it stop discrimination in favour of disabled people.

The most cost effective way to adhere to these laws, especially where customer numbers are small and a tiny proportion of the total as well, may be to throw cost to the wind when a service is needed.    It would probably cost around a milion pounds to put in a ramped footbridge at Maiden Newton - how many taxi journeys would be covered for that?   Better delay until the current footbridge is life expired.   At busier stations (Worle, Bradford-on-Avon) the sums would have been different.