Gateline rules and regs.

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

Am I right in thinking that if a gateline is unmanned it MUST be left open? Today at Hereford I, and others, were unable to access the platforms when we wanted to because the gateline assistant was helping an elderly couple use the barrow crossing to access the far platforms and then helped them board their Birmingham bound train.

Now I appreciate the need to help the elderly and infirm, but surely if you are going to be leaving a gateline unnattended then you should open it. Luckily there were none amongst us waiting to board the Brum train.

Excuse given by gateline assistant on return was, "We're short staffed today and that couple had booked assistance."

"So what if any of us waiting here had wanted to catch the Birmingham train?" I asked.

"You should be here 15 minutes before departure."

  I hope this isn't going to become official ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) policy. We'll be having to check in next!

[devon_metro]

If they aren't manned, they need to be open, in the interest of station evacuation.

Except in the case of Plymouth, where they are open regardless of how many staff there are 

[paul7575]

If a gateline is unsupervised it must be left open. But - the supervision can be remote, eg on the opposite platform of two if a station has two entrances.

Couldn't you get through the gates using your tickets?

Paul

[Mookiemoo]

If a gateline is unsupervised it must be left open. But - the supervision can be remote, eg on the opposite platform of two if a station has two entrances.

Couldn't you get through the gates using your tickets?

Paul

Probably not if Hereford was not the destination.

If I buy a Ludlow to Worcester ticket but want to leave the station at Hereford - Gateline says no

[thetrout]

Bit like a Frome - Taunton ticket... I can break the journey at Bath Spa gateline without issue... Try to at BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) and gateline will throw a temper tantrum...

[JayMac]

If a gateline is unsupervised it must be left open. But - the supervision can be remote, eg on the opposite platform of two if a station has two entrances.

Couldn't you get through the gates using your tickets?

Paul

Sorry, should've made that clear. I was doing a routeing guide allowed journey with my ticket from BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains)-WOF, breaking journey at Hereford. Gateline spat it back out. The couple also waiting to get on the platform with me were (I think) using BritRail passes.

[Worcester_Passenger]

I'm with devon_metro : if it's not supervised then it must be left open in case of emergency. You can't handle an emergency from a far platform. And if an emergency occurs whilst you're with the two passengers who need assistance, then your hands will be full dealing with them.

[vacman]

ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) or any TOC can be in SERIOUS sh1t with the HMRI^▸ (Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate) for leaving gatelines unattended with no gate open, FGW^▸ (First Great Western) have to have at least two staff under their safety case, ATW seem to get away with 1 somehow.

[Mookiemoo]

ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) or any TOC can be in SERIOUS sh1t with the HMRI^▸ (Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate) for leaving gatelines unattended with no gate open, FGW^▸ (First Great Western) have to have at least two staff under their safety case, ATW seem to get away with 1 somehow.

I have seen reading with none

Seriously - I once had to wait nearly five minutes (I know as I only had 7 minutes to get the 1750) because my tickets never seem to operate the d**n barriers

[inspector_blakey]

"You should be here 15 minutes before departure."

  I hope this isn't going to become official ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) policy. We'll be having to check in next!

I have noticed a nasty tendency for a few, ahem, less well motivated and trained (read lazy) staff to make up rules like this to cover their backs when customers challenge them. It's really not on. Not specific to gateline staff either - I've had it from the occasional conductor and station manager too.

[TheLastMinute]

Apparently it's up to each TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) to decide how many staff it should place on any one gateline. The only stipulation is that the gateline must be monitored from the same station they are installed in. If the minimum level of monitoring can't be provided, the gates must be left in the open position.

As Vacman said, FGW^▸ (First Great Western) seem to have a standard of at least 2 people on a gateline at all time, at least that's the case at Bristol Temple Meads. While at Southampton Central, SWT^▸ (South West Trains) think that one person will suffice. That's all well and good until the coach transfer from a cruse ship turns up with a boat load of people all with 4 weeks worth of luggage!

TLM

BTW^▸ (by the way) the actual rules and regs of gatelines can be found on the Railway Group Standards website. The actual document is here with further guidance here.

[Tim]

I had always assumed that in a genuine emergency (fire or like) a passenger could open the gates without a ticket by pressing a big red button or just pushing on the gates hard (and presumably setting an alarm off somewhere) is that not the case?

[Super Guard]

Yes Tim, anyone could hit the 'red button' in an emergency.

[Ollie]

Gatelines are usually linked to fire evacuation systems, if the station gets evacuated then the barriers should open automatically.

[James158]

Gateline must be left open if it is unmanned. I know as I done Work Experience at Bristol Temple Meads. Gateline at BTM^▸ (Bristol Temple Meads (strictly, it should be BRI)) normally opens at XXXX. Gateline at Bristol Parkway normally opens at XXXX.

_{Edited to remove times of gate opening}