Platform tickets

[Tallguy]

Do platform tickets still exist and if so, how much are they and can they be purchased and used at any station? TIA.

 

[Wallsendmag]

Not on LNER

 

[Mcr Warrior]

There's been similar questions asked on here over the years, and opinions seem to differ.

Where platform tickets have been available on the national network, they typically cost just £0.10 and were available for a maximum one hour. Not valid for travel, obviously.

Last time I bought one was c. 1994.

Doubt you'd be able to get one for a station with no manned ticket office (!)

As regards heritage railways, some of these still insist upon them.

On the Embsay and Bolton Abbey steam railway in Yorkshire, a day travel ticket if retained then serves as a platform ticket for the next 12 months for repeat visits. Otherwise, think they charge £1.00 for platform access.

 

[Tallguy]

Not on LNER

Are you referring to LNER operated stations or stations that LNER call at? Or LNER ticket booths at NR operated stations?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Have often wondered how one can access a barriered platform without a platform ticket (maybe to assist a departing passenger with their luggage) and then to get back out of the station again immediately afterwards.

 

[bb21]

Ask station staff, who will normally let you through.

Where platform tickets are sold on the National Rail network, they cost 10p.

 

[clagmonster]

10p were issued except for EMR who charge 20p.

Do the best of my knowledge, SWR and WMT don't issue them anymore. LNER another to add to that sadly increasing list, something new I have learnt today. Elsewhere, knowledge on how to issue them can be patchy, although most clerks do there best.

I would love to see a guide to issuing them for each TIS, just to help any confused clerks I come across.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Ask station staff, who will normally let you through.

Easy enough on the way onto the platform at a busy station, when, using my previous example, you might be carrying some of the intending passenger's luggage.

Another matter 15 minutes later on the way out, when it might then appear as if you are a ticketless traveller trying to blag your way through the barriers.

 

[father_jack]

There are actually ticket machine cranks. About once a year a letter will arrive at a station containing 50p and a stamped addressed envelope with a request for a platform ticket from each ticket window.

 

[Tallguy]

There are actually ticket machine cranks. About once a year a letter will arrive at a station containing 50p and a stamped addressed envelope with a request for a platform ticket from each ticket window.

I understand from the Disused Stations website that collecting railway tickets, particularly for closed stations/lines is quite a popular hobby amongst rail enthusiasts.

But back to my original question it appears that there is n consistency on this matter. I wonder if there is anything in the NR COT about platform tickets?

 

[2192]

Derby have always let me through the barriers ticketless to go from the bus stops to attend lectures at the Roundhouse and back again on midweek evenings, but I've never tried it when Derby County are playing at home and the station is thronged with Railway Police.

 

[Wallsendmag]

Are you referring to LNER operated stations or stations that LNER call at? Or LNER ticket booths at NR operated stations?

LNER Travel Centres do not sell platform tickets.

 

[father_jack]

Some ticket office systems still have them in the menus. It doesn't really hurt to sell them to enthusiasts through the post because they clearly can't misuse them as they only last a day, but advice from retail manglement on their sale is shall we say "inconsistent"....

 

[Cdd89]

They exist on London Underground ticket machines too last time I checked - type “PLATFORM” into the specific destination lookup.

 

[Haywain]

Some ticket office systems still have them in the menus. It doesn't really hurt to sell them to enthusiasts through the post because they clearly can't misuse them as they only last a day, but advice from retail manglement on their sale is shall we say "inconsistent"....

I think if enthusiasts want them they should be charged a premium for them. The only reason the price has remained at 10p is because they are essentially a forgotten product.

 

[Kilopylae]

Easy enough on the way onto the platform at a busy station, when, using my previous example, you might be carrying some of the intending passenger's luggage.

Another matter 15 minutes later on the way out, when it might then appear as if you are a ticketless traveller trying to blag your way through the barriers.

Having done this various times at Exeter the staff always recognise you back on the way out. I think you'd have more trouble if you didn't return and they suspected you'd boarded a train.

I think if enthusiasts want them they should be charged a premium for them. The only reason the price has remained at 10p is because they are essentially a forgotten product.

I probably agree with this. Railway stations are for passengers first and foremost; no reason why rail enthusiasts shouldn't pay a small fee to gain access for hobby reasons.

 

[Barnsley]

10p were issued except for EMR who charge 20p.

Do the best of my knowledge, SWR and WMT don't issue them anymore. LNER another to add to that sadly increasing list, something new I have learnt today. Elsewhere, knowledge on how to issue them can be patchy, although most clerks do there best.

I would love to see a guide to issuing them for each TIS, just to help any confused clerks I come across.

For Star TIS its
Other Tickets > Manual Fares > Platform Ticket > Add to Basket

 

[Wallsendmag]

A remnant from a bygone age, must remember to talk to pricing on Monday.

Andrew

 

[DelW]

Some ticket office systems still have them in the menus. It doesn't really hurt to sell them to enthusiasts through the post because they clearly can't misuse them as they only last a day, but advice from retail manglement on their sale is shall we say "inconsistent"....

I don't know if that was deliberate, or a typo', or the curse of autocorrect, but either way it made me smile

 

[pdeaves]

Having done this various times at Exeter the staff always recognise you back on the way out

That's usually the case but if your visit happens to coincide with a shift change or the appropriate person going on break or something, it can get a bit awkward.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

How does it work in a "Compulsory Ticket Zone/Area"?

 

[voyagerdude220]

There are actually ticket machine cranks. About once a year a letter will arrive at a station containing 50p and a stamped addressed envelope with a request for a platform ticket from each ticket window.

I've experienced this as well at the Station I work at and even heard from a colleague who works at a different Station nearly 100 miles away that the same person had also sent them 50p in a stamped envelope.

 

[onlinespotting]

Leeds issued 10p platform tickets for years and years - is the machine still there by the barriers?

 

[clagmonster]

There are actually ticket machine cranks. About once a year a letter will arrive at a station containing 50p and a stamped addressed envelope with a request for a platform ticket from each ticket window.

I don't go that far, but when visiting a staffed station I haven't been to before I do try to obtain a platform ticket. I always have a valid ticket to travel which I show on the rare occasions it is requested.

 

[_toommm_]

Leeds issued 10p platform tickets for years and years - is the machine still there by the barriers?

I can’t say I’ve ever seen it, although Leeds has undergone a major refurbishment of the concourse and barrier area so even if it was there it’s probably gone.

 

[CyrusWuff]

Leeds issued 10p platform tickets for years and years - is the machine still there by the barriers?

I'm 95% sure it was removed as part of the project to install the automatic ticket gates.

 

[Mojo]

How does it work in a "Compulsory Ticket Zone/Area"?

Under the original DfT/SRA Penalty fare scheme rules, Tocs that wanted to specify a Compulsory ticket area were obligated to provide a way of accessing the Compulsory ticket area without a train ticket.

Whilst this was withdrawn a few years ago, most (all?) Tocs with Compulsory ticket areas will still have this in their individual Penalty fare policies.

It should be noted that, notwithstanding London Underground, TfL Rail, DLR, Tramlink and London Overground (all of which do not have this obligation but comply in practice), there are a very small number of Compulsory ticket areas in the country with most Tocs not having any at all.

 

[JRT]

Yes, at Skipton (barriers) 10p from ticket office, valid 1 hour from purchase.
"Officially" no-one allowed on platform without a ticket / pass etc (due to insurance regulations and covid recommendations). A few enthusiasts over to see the Locomotive Services summer special between Skipton and Appleby weren't allowed to go on the platform but as platform ticket holders they were.

Keighley Platform 4 Worth Valley Light Railway, platform ticket s are 50p but not sure what the current policy is.

 

[Haywain]

"Officially" no-one allowed on platform without a ticket / pass etc (due to insurance regulations and covid recommendations).

Someone’s made that up, haven’t they?

 

[plugwash]

Not so long ago mum went to pick someone up from Stockport and was given a free platform ticket at the barrier.