Manchester and NW Rail Problem?

Question

I'm a frequent traveller on the trains in and around manchester and I've noticed the number of staff they employ to check tickets at the train stations.

Would it not be easier, quicker and more convenient to install barriers.

London Underground and stations including Southampton use them.

Answer 1

unfortunately there are that many different types of train tickets used, from the standard size, then there are the virgin cross country tickets which are about 8 inches long and 4 inches wide, then you have tickets bought at metrolink machines for railway stations, then you have passes as well, so you would still need staff to check these, besides i feel safer at a manned station!!!

Answer 2

It would require all tickets to be in an identical form, able to be read by the barrier. This isn't the case at the moment. For instance, last week I travelled from the north-east of England to Three Bridges on the Brighton line, necessitating a change from King's Cross Mainline to King's Cross Thameslink. At the latter station they have barriers, but I was advised not to use them by station staff as the machine might not recognise them. Also in London. Oyster cards cannot be read by those barriers there are at mainline stations. Many stations are 'open'. i.e. they do not check tickets when entering or leaving the platform, relying on on-train checking.

Many Train Operating Companies  having found this doesn't catch fare-dogers and they are re-introducing ticket collectors at station barriers as this has been found to be much more effective and the cost of employing collectors more than pays for itself in catching those travelling without a ticket.. Perhaps that is happening in the Manchester area

Answer 3

The long term plan is for ticket barriers to be installed, but there will always be some stations where they cannot be fitted as entrances/exits to some older stations are limited and if gates were fitted at these stations there would be the problems with congestion, so breaking health & safety rules.

I hope that my answer helps.

Answer 4

Yes I think it would be better, easier and quicker for us to get through.

However manchester picadilly train station is not designed with barriers in mind and they would need to install them in a dozen different locations throughout the station.

So it would cost alot of money but I think it would be worth it.

Answer 5

The principle is fine until you realise that lots of different types of ticket are in use, many unsuitable for use at a barrier. Ask people who commute to London on problems with using an annual season ticket. Even more worrying if having spent a large amount of money for a season ticket and the machine gobbles it up you might have problems replacing it.