Error codes at ticket barriers

infobleep · 29 Apr 2014

This mat have been answered before but I can't seem to search for phrases using Tapatalk.

Is there a list anywhere of all the errors that ticket barriers show when a paper ticket doesn't let one through.

I know number 9 which I believe is the magnetic strip cannot be read. This is the most common error I might get as season tickets seem not to last, even the new type - unless I was just unlucky with the new type I've used.

I've got a feeling London Underground stations have different codes, based on my travels through them but I might be wrong on that.

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HSTfan!!! · 29 Apr 2014

I'm familiar with the cubic types barriers and those indeed have separate or additional codes for London Underground.
I did indeed have a list of all the codes but I think I disposed of such material after leaving passenger to go to freight, sorry!

infobleep · 29 Apr 2014

Are the error code descriptions classified information then? Would knowing the information help fare dodgers? It's not something I do, fare dodging that is so wouldn't know.

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cjohnson · 29 Apr 2014

LU released a list as a result of a FOI request.

mattdickinson · 29 Apr 2014

And here is a combined list I compiled.

swt_passenger · 29 Apr 2014

infobleep said:
I've got a feeling London Underground stations have different codes, based on my travels through them but I might be wrong on that.

If you look through Matt's list just posted, although the descriptions in the two lists are sometimes slightly different, they are usually a variation on the same thing.

Given the dual use of so many gatelines in the London area it would be quite odd if they weren't using the same basic 'rules'.

jon0844 · 29 Apr 2014

I got error 77 (not listed anywhere from what I can see) at Victoria last Friday morning, which was enough to close the gate for a bit.

I think it might have been related to someone in front of me that pushed through the (wide access) gate and possibly knocked it out of alignment or something.

It triggered not just double beeps, but constant beeping - and the Oyster pad went red after I'd successfully (or not as the case was) tapped on it.

I bet I was popular with the commuter sheep that were still trying to use it even when the staff were standing in front of it to find out what was going on.

77 isn't listed, but I'd like to think I have some magic Oyster card that can take gates out of service with a clever tap and twist.

infobleep · 29 Apr 2014

Thanks for the links and lists. Talking of commuter sheep. I was once asked at a gate line to produce my young persons rail card. The people behind were moaning that I was blocking the exit. The gate line staff soon told them nicely what was going on and they had no choice but to shut up.

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philjo · 29 Apr 2014

I get error 116 everytime I try to use my season ticket in the gates at welwyn Garden City (so I have now given up even trying - I just go the manual barrier) - it seems that any ticket that does not have WGC as origin or destination generates this code at WGC whereas my ticket opens the gates at all other intermediate stations along the line.

jon0844 · 29 Apr 2014

Even a Gold Card discounted ticket from Hatfield to Welwyn Garden City fails to work the gates. I keep forgetting to check the code.

Yet I'm always allowed through without a) showing my Gold Card - although I have it ready and b) without them asking to keep the ticket!

Carnet tickets were (are?) also a joke for working the gates. They often failed to let me in at Hatfield, which of course could easily trigger suspicion from staff (has this ticket been used before?). The error code suggested it was out of date, but not all staff checked the code or cared. Fortunately, I guess I'm pretty well known there and never had any problems or accusations of having tampered with my carnet (as I might have done if the gate thought there was a problem).

Another reason why I stopped buying carnet tickets.

Dolive22 · 29 Apr 2014

What code is used when a ticket is rejected for being bought with a YP railcard, as the barriers are sometimes set to do?

rdeez · 30 Apr 2014

Dolive21 said:
What code is used when a ticket is rejected for being bought with a YP railcard, as the barriers are sometimes set to do?

Looks like it would be 90 - "Rejecting monitored tickets"

SPADTrap · 30 Apr 2014

jonmorris0844 said:
Even a Gold Card discounted ticket from Hatfield to Welwyn Garden City fails to work the gates. I keep forgetting to check the code.

Yet I'm always allowed through without a) showing my Gold Card - although I have it ready and b) without them asking to keep the ticket!

Carnet tickets were (are?) also a joke for working the gates. They often failed to let me in at Hatfield, which of course could easily trigger suspicion from staff (has this ticket been used before?). The error code suggested it was out of date, but not all staff checked the code or cared. Fortunately, I guess I'm pretty well known there and never had any problems or accusations of having tampered with my carnet (as I might have done if the gate thought there was a problem).

Another reason why I stopped buying carnet tickets.

I thought carnet tickets weren't supposed to open the gates so staff could check the dates are written in?

jon0844 · 30 Apr 2014

SPADTrap said:
I thought carnet tickets weren't supposed to open the gates so staff could check the dates are written in?

They always worked fine at King's Cross, and sometimes at Hatfield (but this could be down to whether I had a peak or off-peak one, and I don't exactly remember), but you might be right.

It could be that the gates were set (at least sometimes) to stop them, although the out of date range error seemed weird. Unless the date encoded on the ticket confused the gates, or wasn't on it at all? I wonder if the date on the ticket would be the expiry date (three months) or the date originally sold?

It would make sense to want to see these tickets manually, if only to help those who genuinely have forgotten to write in the date. Mind you, we've heard of people being punished before going through with the charge of intent.

Kite159 · 30 Apr 2014

I was surprised at Leicester station, their ticket barriers told you what the error was on the screen (not valid at this location, ticket wrong side up, ticket out of date)

AngusH · 1 May 2014

Kite159 said:
I was surprised at Leicester station, their ticket barriers told you what the error was on the screen (not valid at this location, ticket wrong side up, ticket out of date)

Brilliant news.

Hopefully these will spread and whoever specified/designed the gates gets promoted.

Offering simple explanations that can be understood by the passenger immediately is excellent.

"Ticket wrong side up" particularly so, the ticket holder can just flip it over and try again, which takes seconds, as opposed to finding a staffed gate and showing the ticket there.
"ticket out of date" likewise, they can check the ticket and maybe fish the correct ticket out of their pocket if they've confused them.

Explaining to the passenger that there is a problem before they travel is much better than catching them during or after.

infobleep · 1 May 2014

But if you explain it before hand, less chance of fining them! Joke by the way.

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swt_passenger · 1 May 2014

AngusH said:
Explaining to the passenger that there is a problem before they travel is much better than catching them during or after.

How about linking it to the PA system?

"We apologise for the delays at the ticket barrier but the muppet in gate 3 is using last years ticket..."

infobleep · 1 May 2014

Or how about we apologise for the delay, yet another magnetic stripe has failed on a season ticket. Free replacements are available from the company who sold it to you.

Another could be. Your ticket has been rejected. It may be valid but due to the extremely complex ticketing system we operate in the UK one of our gate line staff needs to check.

Then said in a rushed voice, like radio adverts do at the end:
Gate line staff allowing or disallowing a ticket is no guarantee of a ticket being valid or invalid.
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CockneySparrow · 1 May 2014

Always get refused at Kings Lynn with a ticket to Hunstanton, funny really as gate rejects the ticket, the gateline staff see what has happened then start to reach for the £20 note pad only for me to show them a valid ticket lol

jon0844 · 1 May 2014

"Kerchin... Oh."

Error codes at ticket barriers

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