Ticket gates on the higher-numbered platforms at Manchester Piccadilly

[py_megapixel]

For years now, Manchester Piccadilly has had a bizarre arrangement where they seem to have started installing ticket gates and not finished, meaning the higher numbered ones (including by far the busiest - the infamous platforms 13 and 14) don't have them.

Currently tickets are checked by staff - usually 2 for each platform - who visually inspect paper tickets and scan e-tickets with what appears to be an Android app. This is fine in theory, but these staff (understandably - they're only human!) can't check as many tickets in a short space of time as a gateline could. If a heavily loaded train arrives, the queue to get off the platform can take quite some time to clear, which is irritating for passengers.

I am unconvinced that at a station as large as Manchester Piccadilly with services to and from destinations all over the country, it is reasonable to expect that staff will be immediately familiar with the wide variety of tickets that passengers will hold. A computer with access to a database should be much more effective in this regard. Also, there is a small minority of staff members whose attitude towards passengers is not good (though the majority, as in most cases, are absolutely fine).

When is Network Rail/Northern/TPE/whoever else may be responsible going to get their act together and finish the job?

 

[JonathanH]

Thing is that TPE appear to have got the gates installed on platforms 1-3 and Virgin / Avanti appear to have got the gates installed on platforms 4-8 so presumably it is up to Northern to do the rest of the station, and I guess they haven't yet had funding released to do so.

A bit like Euston where 8-11 were done in the late 1990s, 1-3 have been done more recently but the process then stopped.

 

[Purple Orange]

While we’re at it, Deansgate should have ticket barriers too. I’ve not used Salford Central in many years so I don’t know what the situation is there, but all central Manchester stations should have ticket barriers throughout.

 

[JonathanH]

While we’re at it, Deansgate should have ticket barriers too. I’ve not used Salford Central in many years so I don’t know what the situation is there, but all central Manchester stations should have ticket barriers throughout.

Deansgate might be a bit too tight to fit in gates - I'm not sure how many you'd get on the platform for the exit to the Metrolink station. Downstairs doesn't have an ideal amount of space either. Perhaps they will be able to do something when the ticket office shuts.

 

[Purple Orange]

Deansgate might be a bit too tight to fit in gates - I'm not sure how many you'd get on the platform for the exit to the Metrolink station. Downstairs doesn't have an ideal amount of space either. Perhaps they will be able to do something when the ticket office shuts.

Deansgate is no smaller than many metro stations. You could have them at the bottom of the ramp to P1 and the subway to P2. Or going across diagonally where there is already a partial barrier.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Thing is that TPE appear to have got the gates installed on platforms 1-3 and Virgin / Avanti appear to have got the gates installed on platforms 4-8 so presumably it is up to Northern to do the rest of the station, and I guess they haven't yet had funding released to do so.

What could do with happening is one TOC being contracted to gate the whole thing.

A bit like Euston where 8-11 were done in the late 1990s, 1-3 have been done more recently but the process then stopped.

The way Avanti operate Euston 1-3 were a total waste of money. I suspect it was a franchise agreement and stopped when franchises stopped. It was also odd to do 1-3 first as LNR hardly use those platforms. 12-15 would have made more sense.

I am slightly surprised Euston doesn't just get one long gateline under the old departure board, to be honest. If the toilets were to be kept outside the gateline you could create a way through to them by relocating a few shops.

 

[htafc]

While we’re at it, Deansgate should have ticket barriers too. I’ve not used Salford Central in many years so I don’t know what the situation is there, but all central Manchester stations should have ticket barriers throughout.

Salford Central is gated I believe.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Salford Central is gated I believe.

It is yes.

 

[py_megapixel]

Thing is that TPE appear to have got the gates installed on platforms 1-3 and Virgin / Avanti appear to have got the gates installed on platforms 4-8 so presumably it is up to Northern to do the rest of the station, and I guess they haven't yet had funding released to do so.

I don't really see why a TOC should have to be involved at all. Network Rail manage the station - why can't they do it?

Presumably it's just that revenue collection is not seen to be within Network Rail's remit, as their job is predominantly infrastructure, not passenger-facing aspects (though for some reason they do operate passenger assistance services and also the crowd control on p13/14). But it's a shame to see something that would not only be an improvement for the vast majority of passengers using those platforms, but also capable of paying for itself in the long run, ignored because of the all-too-common lack of joined up thinking.

 

[markymark2000]

I don't really see why a TOC should have to be involved at all. Network Rail manage the station - why can't they do it?

Presumably it's just that revenue collection is not seen to be within Network Rail's remit, as their job is predominantly infrastructure, not passenger-facing aspects (though for some reason they do operate passenger assistance services and also the crowd control on p13/14). But it's a shame to see something that would not only be an improvement for the vast majority of passengers using those platforms, but also capable of paying for itself in the long run, ignored because of the all-to-common lack of joined up thinking.

What a down right stupid system. It's no wonder the railways lose so much money when situations like this come about. All station staff should be under 1 name, not associated with any TOC (so neutral and therefore no preference given to anyone). Staff should also be multi skilled so they can be moved about according to demand.

None of this inflexible rubbish and having TOCs running certain gatelines. So much money down the drain on these inefficiencies. So many people in these offices being paid big bucks to run the railways and stupid situations like this aren't being looked at?

 

[startingaparty]

I find going to/from platforms 13/14 to be absolutely unbearable in the mornings and afternoons. There's always a group of people clogging up the entrance, phones all in hand trying to locate their tickets and then the inevitable "railcard, please" and cue another minute or so trying to find that. If you're a season ticket holder you can just flash your ticket and you're waved through in a matter of seconds, so so much easier and quicker. I can't help but feel like having e-tickets and manual-checking gatelines just isn't efficient.

And don't get me started on the people who seem to have no self-awareness and stand still on the left-hand side of the escalator from platform 13 to the lounge, meaning everyone now has to wait behind them. Please stand to the right hand side so people who are in a rush can get up quickly. Or worse yet those who stand still on the travelator.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I find going to/from platforms 13/14 to be absolutely unbearable in the mornings and afternoons. There's always a group of people clogging up the entrance, phones all in hand trying to locate their tickets and then the inevitable "railcard, please" and cue another minute or so trying to find that. If you're a season ticket holder you can just flash your ticket and you're waved through in a matter of seconds, so so much easier and quicker. I can't help but feel like having e-tickets and manual-checking gatelines just isn't efficient.

And don't get me started on the people who seem to have no self-awareness and stand still on the left-hand side of the escalator from platform 13 to the lounge, meaning everyone now has to wait behind them. Or worse yet those who stand still on the travelator.

In the north people take their time, and the rigid "stand on the right, walk on the left" thing doesn't really exist. It doesn't usually on Merseyrail either, people generally stand on both sides and it's just accepted. The north has a different pace of life to London.

 

[David Goddard]

As long as they don't adopt the Blackpool North model, when having used the gate line you still have to negotiate the gorillas to access the platforms