platform access

[Greenback]

I haven't been to Bournemouth since 1999. Iw asn;t very impressed with the station then, sounds like it hasn't got a lot better! The north side seemed particularly bad.

 

[pinkpanther]

I haven't been to Bournemouth since 1999. Iw asn;t very impressed with the station then, sounds like it hasn't got a lot better! The north side seemed particularly bad.

It's been heavily refurbished since then, and is actually pretty pleasant now (certainly better than Christchurch or Poole, for example).

However, all facilities aside from ticket machines* are now the wrong side of the barriers.

* A story in themselves, as they seem to be sufficiently unfathonable that staff regularly have to assist even experienced travellers in using them - which surely defeats the point. The fact that the queue for the machines at the main (southern) entrance crosses the barriers at right angles just adds to the fun (and of course, the ticket office never seems to be open these days).

 

[moonrakerz]

It could well be SWT policy - I had a similar blank refusal at Bournemouth when meeting my partner a couple of weeks ago. When I ask the staff member in question for the reason he was somewhat relucant to elaborate, citing only a vague concern about "too many people coming through the barriers". When I asked about platform tickets, he said they didn't sell them.

Before anyone asks, I was perfectly polite to him; despite this he appeared evasive and unwilling to engage.

There is NO such thing as "SWT Policy", the rules for platform access are clearly laid down by DfT as part of the franchise - SWT are deliberately flouting these rules (along with many others !). They know this, hence their total refusal to give a straight answer to how/why they are doing this. (To some extent I do feel sorry for the station staff on this , they are being forced to carry out actions which they know are not correct)
My last letter to the MD of SWT on this matter has been totally ignored - it will NOT be the last, however !

 

[Solent&Wessex]

They were doing barrier checks at York yesterday and today in the afternoon / evening times. There were big officious posters quoting byelaw numbers etc stating all about the need to have a ticket etc.

The very bottom bit then read "for those persons not intending to travel by train, platform tickets are available from the barrier staff". This was very helpful, although as the barrier staff were using Avantix machines, and I have yet to find a way to issue platform tickets from them, I don't know what they were giving people. Sadly I didn't have time to ask. Oh, and because it was so obvious it was almost putting temptation into to hands of the faredodgers!

 

[Darandio]

This was very helpful, although as the barrier staff were using Avantix machines, and I have yet to find a way to issue platform tickets from them, I don't know what they were giving people. Sadly I didn't have time to ask. Oh, and because it was so obvious it was almost putting temptation into to hands of the faredodgers!

At Darlington I have noticed the staff manning the barriers usually have a pocket full of platform passes that they lash out willy nilly to anyone who asks! Of course, it is generally a parent wanting to see off their sibling to university or one of us that wish to take a few photographs but they honestly never bat an eyelid!

 

[Aictos]

At Darlington I have noticed the staff manning the barriers usually have a pocket full of platform passes that they lash out willy nilly to anyone who asks! Of course, it is generally a parent wanting to see off their sibling to university or one of us that wish to take a few photographs but they honestly never bat an eyelid!

Peterborough under GNER used to do that but as soon as NX came in, it stopped.

 

[Waverley125]

bought a platform ticket at leeds on friday, it's 20p. You'll have to go to the ticket office, and then to one of the barrier attendants to get through though.

 

[krus_aragon]

bought a platform ticket at leeds on friday, it's 20p. You'll have to go to the ticket office, and then to one of the barrier attendants to get through though.

Blimey, Kings Cross only charged me 10p! And yes, the idea that you can't use a platform ticket to get through the barriers to the platform is a bit obtuse.

 

[Solent&Wessex]

I wonder... Could you get a friendly booking clerk at a station to sell you a platform ticket for one of these awkward SWT stations, and then walk up and present it? That would certainly be fun!

 

[Drsatan]

I wonder... Could you get a friendly booking clerk at a station to sell you a platform ticket for one of these awkward SWT stations, and then walk up and present it? That would certainly be fun!

Especially as SWT no longer offer platform tickets.

 

[First class]

I wonder... Could you get a friendly booking clerk at a station to sell you a platform ticket for one of these awkward SWT stations, and then walk up and present it? That would certainly be fun!

Simply put - no.

The ticket issuing systems will not allow you to issue a Platform Ticket for a station other than for the station it is installed in.

E.g. Liverpool Lime Street can't issue a platform ticket for Winchester...

There are a few oddities with Platform Tickets, for example, Moorfields station has two entrances, one called Moorfields, one called Old Hall Street, but both the same station (MRF). However, on rangers/rovers/platform tickets the machines at Old Hall Street print 'Old Hall Street' not Moorfields or Liverpool Stns...

It was the same for James Street (Water Street Exit) until they removed the TIS and just had RSP4407. I believe this is the only place that SOLELY issues paper handwritten tickets.

Same for travel agencies with this equipment, e.g. you could get a STAR Machine and the location may print as 'John's Travel Ltd'.