Four central Glasgow stations to be gated

[The_Stig]

Perhaps ticket holders have not been made aware of this, and I have not read anything on this either
I have relative with one and didn't work last week (purchased from Glasgow Central three weeks ago)

I used to get one every week for the last 6 years and there was never any problems, maybe something has changed in the year or so I have stopped using them.

 

[Nightrider]

Does anybody have a rough estimate of how much is lost revenue wise at the four stations named.

 

[rail-britain]

Does anybody have a rough estimate of how much is lost revenue wise at the four stations named.

That's a guessathon that!
Estimate lost revenue that is not detected nor recorded

I know in one day at Glasgow Central in 2009 it was near on £3000, so multiply that by 5.5 days over 46 weeks (typical number of working days per year)
Hence why part time manual barriers were introduced as a matter of policy

The amount at Glasgow QS is very low now, compared to 2009
There is still however fraud where customers buy a ticket from the final calling point of a train before its arrival into Glasgow QS
Hence why there have been some questions about passenger numbers based on ticket sales from Bishopbriggs and High Street, compare to actual passenger numbers

Who said open station was a great development...

 

[jon0844]

Who said open station was a great development...

I don't know.. who DID say that?

 

[Scotrail84]

Barriers installed at Edinburgh Haymarket and Qst had paid for themselves after 6 weeks of operation so its about time they were put in a Central stns in Glasgow

 

[rail-britain]

I don't know.. who DID say that?

Someone at BR, but it wasn't Chris Green...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Barriers installed at Edinburgh Haymarket and Qst had paid for themselves after 6 weeks of operation so its about time they were put in a Central stns in Glasgow

Personally, they should be consistent about this
Install them at all "manned" stations
The DfT / TS, should also set a deadline for them to be installed, thereafter no more can be installed

 

[tbtc]

Barriers installed at Edinburgh Haymarket and Qst had paid for themselves after 6 weeks of operation so its about time they were put in a Central stns in Glasgow

That's a pretty impressive stat
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Someone at BR, but it wasn't Chris Green...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Personally, they should be consistent about this
Install them at all "manned" stations
The DfT / TS, should also set a deadline for them to be installed, thereafter no more can be installed

Why no more? If it means more fare paying passengers, more revenue and fewer free-loaders?

 

[First ScotRail]

Regarding ticket staff at Central. Alot of the, are/certainly used to be agency staff. Hence not actual FSR employees, just got the uniform.

 

[rail-britain]

Why no more?

In order to make it consistent across Britain, that way stations will either have barriers or will not, taking all the doubt out of it

For example
Barriers must be installed by 2016
After that date no more
The investment alone will pay for itself, even if not specified in the current franchise

 

[Scotrail84]

In order to make it consistent across Britain, that way stations will either have barriers or will not, taking all the doubt out of it

For example
Barriers must be installed by 2016
After that date no more
The investment alone will pay for itself, even if not specified in the current franchise

Sorry thats pash IMO Mr Britain

Companys should be able to make alterations when it suits.

 

[rail-britain]

Sorry thats pash IMO Mr Britain

You've missed the point
It is supposed to be a National Rail Network
So why not have a consistent policy on barriers
At larger stations there are automatic barriers with staff to offer tickets
At smaller unmanned stations there are automatic ticket issuing machines with staff onboard ALL services

It is not that difficult to create a simple policy and to then give the TOCs time to implement it (as they see fit)

I accept the barriers at York are an issue, but why not install semi-permanent barriers for manual processing

 

[tbtc]

In order to make it consistent across Britain, that way stations will either have barriers or will not, taking all the doubt out of it

For example
Barriers must be installed by 2016
After that date no more
The investment alone will pay for itself, even if not specified in the current franchise

I'm confused, surely if local conditions require barriers then they should be installed and if they don't they shouldn't. Any "blanket" approach is a waste of time, as some stations have more of a problem than others (or have unsuitable layouts or "rights of way" etc).

 

[rail-britain]

I'm confused, surely if local conditions require barriers then they should be installed and if they don't they shouldn't

I completely agree but there are already automatic barriers at some locations you would not expect them

Two local examples are Stirling and Aberdeen
For the volume of passengers and the fact that the vast majority of trains already have efficient ticket checks there is little point
However, Perth does not have such barriers
Equally, Motherwell does not have barriers

Another is Darlington
This also becomes a dual check for tickets, as most trains serving Darlington have efficient ticket checks in place

 

[tbtc]

Another is Darlington
This also becomes a dual check for tickets, as most trains serving Darlington have efficient ticket checks in place

As you've said elsewhere though, the next major station south of Darlington (York) has no barriers.

 

[Scotrail84]

You've missed the point
It is supposed to be a National Rail Network
So why not have a consistent policy on barriers
At larger stations there are automatic barriers with staff to offer tickets
At smaller unmanned stations there are automatic ticket issuing machines with staff onboard ALL services It is not that difficult to create a simple policy and to then give the TOCs time to implement it (as they see fit)

I accept the barriers at York are an issue, but why not install semi-permanent barriers for manual processing

Not true. Not every station has a TVM and not every train has a TE on doo trains. However theres always a Guard on a train that requires a Guard that is able to issue tickets.

 

[me123]

Equally, Motherwell does not have barriers

But Motherwell has "manned" barriers in place for a large portion of the day anyway.

The problems I have with the current barriers at Central are:
1) They barrier each individual pair of platforms (ie, 1&2, 3&4 etc), and if two busy trains arrive simultaneously it can be a bit of a crush (especially considering that many people won't have tickets before arriving, and need to wait separately). I don't know how they'll do the automatic barriers, but hopefully it won't be in this fashion; it would be more efficient to barrier the whole lot off.
2) With all due respect to the TIs at the barriers, the check is wholly inefficient. With the numbers of people passing through in the height of the rush hour, they can't be expected to check every detail on every ticket. So you'll probably get people passing through with out-of-date tickets or similar which does little to curb fare evasion. On the other hand, a machine would notice this and alert a TI to check the ticket before letting them through.

 

[Scotrail84]

2) With all due respect to the TIs at the barriers, the check is wholly inefficient. With the numbers of people passing through in the height of the rush hour, they can't be expected to check every detail on every ticket. So you'll probably get people passing through with out-of-date tickets or similar which does little to curb fare evasion. On the other hand, a machine would notice this and alert a TI to check the ticket before letting them through.[/QUOTE]


I have heard that platforms 1 and 2 wont be barried because the Inter City services normally go from there. Dont quote me on that as its just hear say mate.

 

[me123]

... well, that'll be fun. The particular "crush" instances in my head include one when the 08:07 ex Whifflet arrived on P1(front), the 6-car EK arrival on P2 not long after, and XC decided to start boarding the 09:00 to Penzance on P1(rear)! A recipe for disaster as I'm sure you can imagine! Took me 10 minutes to get off the platform that morning.

Although 1&2 tend to be used by IC services, there's no set rules in Central. You'll have Voyagers going from the shorter platforms (which presumably will be barriered) anyway, and plenty of Scotrail locals on 1&2. They should just block the whole lot off IMHO.

 

[Scotrail84]

... well, that'll be fun. The particular "crush" instances in my head include one when the 08:07 ex Whifflet arrived on P1(front), the 6-car EK arrival on P2 not long after, and XC decided to start boarding the 09:00 to Penzance on P1(rear)! A recipe for disaster as I'm sure you can imagine! Took me 10 minutes to get off the platform that morning.

Although 1&2 tend to be used by IC services, there's no set rules in Central. You'll have Voyagers going from the shorter platforms (which presumably will be barriered) anyway, and plenty of Scotrail locals on 1&2. They should just block the whole lot off IMHO.

Totally agree mate. Would be much easier. I have had several problems with the manual barriers at Central. 1. They dont seem the realise there IS an evening peak from Central. 1702 1719 and 1802 Edinburgh services and anyone with a Cheap day travelling further than Shotts should be excessed to the Anytime day Rtn, but they just let them through without excessing. Causes problems on board. 2. They let passengers with the X/C only tickets though the barrier onto Scotrail trains. You know those tickets they used to cost £1.90 sgl to Edin but i think they've went up now. Again this causes problems on board. This is basic stuff to spot IMO.

 

[CarterUSM]

I was under the impression a standard return is required from Glasgow to Haymarket or Edinburgh and not intermediate stations?

 

[route101]

[/B]

Totally agree mate. Would be much easier. I have had several problems with the manual barriers at Central. 1. They dont seem the realise there IS an evening peak from Central. 1702 1719 and 1802 Edinburgh services and anyone with a Cheap day travelling further than Shotts should be excessed to the Anytime day Rtn, but they just let them through without excessing. Causes problems on board. 2. They let passengers with the X/C only tickets though the barrier onto Scotrail trains. You know those tickets they used to cost £1.90 sgl to Edin but i think they've went up now. Again this causes problems on board. This is basic stuff to spot IMO.

I think that fare is £2.30 now , ive used it on the HST back to Central .On the East Coast services from Glasgow they make it clear XC tickets cannot be used . Once the Guard comes round on a Shotts service they will get caught.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

... well, that'll be fun. The particular "crush" instances in my head include one when the 08:07 ex Whifflet arrived on P1(front), the 6-car EK arrival on P2 not long after, and XC decided to start boarding the 09:00 to Penzance on P1(rear)! A recipe for disaster as I'm sure you can imagine! Took me 10 minutes to get off the platform that morning.

Although 1&2 tend to be used by IC services, there's no set rules in Central. You'll have Voyagers going from the shorter platforms (which presumably will be barriered) anyway, and plenty of Scotrail locals on 1&2. They should just block the whole lot off IMHO.

The 6 car EK 156 sure unloads a lot of people . You can waitup to 5 mins in the Ticket Que at Central.

 

[rail-britain]

The problems I have with the current barriers at Central are:
1) They barrier each individual pair of platforms (ie, 1&2, 3&4 etc), and if two busy trains arrive simultaneously it can be a bit of a crush (especially considering that many people won't have tickets before arriving, and need to wait separately). I don't know how they'll do the automatic barriers, but hopefully it won't be in this fashion; it would be more efficient to barrier the whole lot off

The permanent manual barriers worked perfectly well at Glasgow Central before they were removed in the 1980s
However, the integral part of this was that the majority of local stations were also manned and tickets could be purchased
The flaw with the current system (as is clearly shown at Glasgow QS) is the lack of a machine to purchase tickets, which results in people going to the booth on the platform, and I don't see how this is going to work at Glasgow Central (plus the issue has still not been resolved)

From the details I posted earlier, try this example
A passenger travels from Mount Florida to Glasgow C
If the station is closed, purchases a ticket from the machine (not currently installed, but would be under the guidelines)
If the station is manned, purchases a ticket from either
When the train arrives in Glasgow C there should be virtually no passengers without a ticket
If there are any, then they are most likely going to all be from one station where the machine is not working
Bingo, problem solved, a

 

[MalcolmB]

"... the manual barriers at present are operational for 3 hours each, morning and evening peaks, for 4 hours straight on a Saturday. Outwith those times, there is a significant amount of money walking out the exit."

Am I the only sane one left here? The last I looked there were ticket inspectors/conductors on the trains! Just because you can walk onto a train without a ticket doesn't mean you have gotten a free ride. The conductor comes up to you and you have to buy a ticket.

The manual barriers are present at the times stated because the trains are jam packed at those times and it is impossible for the conductor to go up and down the train inspecting tickets. At off peak times, where there are not manual barriers, the conductor generally comes up to you and and either inspects your ticket or you buy one from him/her.

If people are getting free rides it is simply because the on-train conductors are not going their job. Why should Network rail pay for FirstScotrail's incompitence?

If you are lucky to get a free ride into the city centre you most assuredly have to have a ticket for the journey back home. The difference between a single and a return is not really that much, I am sure they are not really loosing much.

Lets not forget that on Queen's Street a conductor comes and inspects your ticket just straight after you leave the station! How did you get on the train without a ticket?! Checked at the barrier, then checked on the train! Excessive!

In Queen's street I used to help my relatives onto the train with their heavy luggage, I can now no longer do that. Had I been stupid enough to jump on the train when it left I would have to have bought a ticket to Aberdeen anyway when the conductor came by. Help them on, wave goodbye and leave the platform.

All these automatic barriers will be is a major encumbrance and overkill.

 

[me123]

Errr.... welcome to the forum!

It's worth pointing out a couple of things. Firstly, on busy trains, the guard/TE won't get round everyone. This is a particular problem at the many unmanned stations in the Glasgow area, where there is no opportunity to buy before you board. Secondly, the barriers won't let you through without a valid ticket, but they don't control access to the trains. Someone could board a Glasgow-Aberdeen service with a ticket for High Street, for example. Hopefully no-one would be stupid enough to try that. As such, the guard on the Aberdeen train needs to know that everyone on his/her train has a valid ticket.

The barriers don't replace guards on the trains, they work alongside them. And believe me, automatic barriers are much, much more efficient than the useless "manual" barriers that plague Central station.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Am I the only sane one left here? The last I looked there were ticket inspectors/conductors on the trains! Just because you can walk onto a train without a ticket doesn't mean you have gotten a free ride. The conductor comes up to you and you have to buy a ticket.

Yes, but that's assuming that they have time to get through the whole train, and it's also assuming that the customer is being honest about their origin and destination!

The manual barriers are present at the times stated because the trains are jam packed at those times and it is impossible for the conductor to go up and down the train inspecting tickets. At off peak times, where there are not manual barriers, the conductor generally comes up to you and and either inspects your ticket or you buy one from him/her.

But the manual barriers will let anyone with any ticket through. I once got through with an out-of-date seat reservation! (I can assure you that I had a valid ticket, but I just wanted to see what would happen!). In many cases, they just give up and let everyone through because they are so ineffective.

If people are getting free rides it is simply because the on-train conductors are not going their job. Why should Network rail pay for FirstScotrail's incompitence?

As you've said, people are getting free rides because the guard/TE can't always get through a whole train. On runs such as Carmyle-Glasgow Central, it's not reasonable to expect a guard to sell everyone a ticket in the ten minute run. But, on behalf of the many Scotrail employees on here, I'd like to thank you for calling them incompetent (or, as you've spelled it, incompitent). I'm sure they'll appreciate it.

Lets not forget that on Queen's Street a conductor comes and inspects your ticket just straight after you leave the station! How did you get on the train without a ticket?! Checked at the barrier, then checked on the train! Excessive!

But the manual barriers that you support aren't excessive? They serve the same purpose. And, as I've mentioned before, you can get through the barrier with any valid ticket for that station, but it may not be valid on the train.

In Queen's street I used to help my relatives onto the train with their heavy luggage, I can now no longer do that. Had I been stupid enough to jump on the train when it left I would have to have bought a ticket to Aberdeen anyway when the conductor came by. Help them on, wave goodbye and leave the platform.

I think it's fair to say that this is a significant drawback to the barriers, but once again surely you can buy/obtain a platform ticket to let you onto the platform?

 

[CarterUSM]

Errr.... welcome to the forum!

It's worth pointing out a couple of things. Firstly, on busy trains, the guard/TE won't get round everyone. This is a particular problem at the many unmanned stations in the Glasgow area, where there is no opportunity to buy before you board. Secondly, the barriers won't let you through without a valid ticket, but they don't control access to the trains. Someone could board a Glasgow-Aberdeen service with a ticket for High Street, for example. Hopefully no-one would be stupid enough to try that. As such, the guard on the Aberdeen train needs to know that everyone on his/her train has a valid ticket.

The barriers don't replace guards on the trains, they work alongside them. And believe me, automatic barriers are much, much more efficient than the useless "manual" barriers that plague Central station.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Yes, but that's assuming that they have time to get through the whole train, and it's also assuming that the customer is being honest about their origin and destination!



But the manual barriers will let anyone with any ticket through. I once got through with an out-of-date seat reservation! (I can assure you that I had a valid ticket, but I just wanted to see what would happen!). In many cases, they just give up and let everyone through because they are so ineffective.



As you've said, people are getting free rides because the guard/TE can't always get through a whole train. On runs such as Carmyle-Glasgow Central, it's not reasonable to expect a guard to sell everyone a ticket in the ten minute run. But, on behalf of the many Scotrail employees on here, I'd like to thank you for calling them incompetent (or, as you've spelled it, incompitent). I'm sure they'll appreciate it.



But the manual barriers that you support aren't excessive? They serve the same purpose. And, as I've mentioned before, you can get through the barrier with any valid ticket for that station, but it may not be valid on the train.



I think it's fair to say that this is a significant drawback to the barriers, but once again surely you can buy/obtain a platform ticket to let you onto the platform?

Thanks me123, you saved me the bother!

 

[MalcolmB]

"The barriers don't replace guards on the trains, they work alongside them."
Tickets need to only be checked once.

"...the barriers won't let you through without a valid ticket, but they don't control access to the trains. Someone could board a Glasgow-Aberdeen service with a ticket for High Street, for example"

Exactly which proves the barriers are pointless and excessive. The tickets have to be checked on-train anyway.

"and it's also assuming that the customer is being honest about their origin and destination!"

How would the barriers be able to solve this problem? You could buy a ticket to Paisley and stay on the train to Ayr. The barriers won't be able to tell the difference. If the conductor inspects your ticket before Paisley there's nothing to really stop you from just staying on? Again barriers serve no purpose in this regard.

"But the manual barriers will let anyone with any ticket through.....In many cases, they just give up and let everyone through because they are so ineffective. "

Exactly the argument for on-train ticket inspections and not the useless barriers. Can the automatic barriers tell the difference between ticket types and destinations?

"people are getting free rides because the guard/TE can't always get through a whole train....But, on behalf of the many Scotrail employees on here, I'd like to thank you for calling them incompetent (or, as you've spelled it, incompitent). I'm sure they'll appreciate it. "

Yes they are incompetent. I have been on trains many a time when the train is pretty much empty but the conductor just goes into his little cabin at the back not bothering to come up and down the train. That is incompetence in the train crews. After going through the manual barrier last week the on-train TE just took a glance at my ticket and carried on. I only just realised when I went to put it away that I had shown the wrong ticket, I took the wrong one out of my pocket. Having automatic barriers would not prevent this only having staff that do their job will. Oh and it's childish to try and score points by pointing out your opponents spelling mistakes.

What is to stop people from getting on the rush hour trains at the station just after Central station to their destination? Why not put barriers at all stations in the whole network? You see it's ridiculous.

Also on busy trains it could be possible to have more than one Ticket Inspector? Oh but that costs Scotrail money and they want to pass that onto Network Rail.

"But the manual barriers that you support aren't excessive? They serve the same purpose. And, as I've mentioned before, you can get through the barrier with any valid ticket for that station, but it may not be valid on the train. "

No I dont support manual barriers either. If they are going to inspect the ticket on the train there is no need to inspect it at the platform. One or the other not both. Getting your ticket checked twice is excessive. There has to be barriers at times when the train is jam packed but at those times the automatic barriers will just slow everyone down.

"but once again surely you can buy/obtain a platform ticket to let you onto the platform? "

So I have to pay to help someone on the train?


A couple of more things to add. Recently I was on the East Kilbride train and I realised that it was the express train so didn't stop at my stop. I had to get off and go and get on the correct one at another platform. The manual barrier there let me through. With the automatic barrier my ticket would be cancelled. Another draw back!

Another time I got a text from a friend and I decided to get back off the train to go and meet him and got another train home an hour later. The automatic barrier would prevent me from doing this.

My girlfriend is on a course where she needs to hand in her tickets at the end of the week to claim travel expenses. The barriers at Queen Street nick your ticket as you leave, I am sure the ones in Central will too. Major Drawback!

Another time I got to the platform and after 15 minutes after the train was due to leave it dawned on us that the train will be delayed. I left the platform and jumped on the next East Kilbride train a couple of platforms down. As it left the station I watched all the others still waiting for the original train. Automatic barriers would prevent this. I would be stuck on the platform and have to wait for the train to be ready to leave. Delaying me!

What happens when trains are cancelled and you have to leave the train and get another one? Happened to me 4 times in the last year. The ticket would be cancelled at the barrier and I wouldn't be able to get through the barrier again at the next train.

The barriers will just slow a very busy station down. Make people miss trains. Make it difficult for people with shopping and other items, when your hands are full its hard to put a ticket through a stupid machine. Barriers are at subways because there is no ontrain staff apart from the driver, it is unnecessary on manned trains.

I also don't understand how the those blue car assistance things are going to get through the barriers and the little buffet car things.

Are the barriers going to block access to the little food stalls and the cash machines?

What about the trainspotters. Make life difficult for them.

It is clear that FirstScotrail are tight moneygrabbing so and sos. How else did a small bus company take over almost every bus and railway firm in the UK and start some more in the US? As soon as they took over Scotrail the fares went up. This new barrier nonsense is a clear case of maximising profits while minimising outlay. They could easily have more on train staff but that would cost them more money so they let Networkrail pay for the barriers while they reap all the increased revenue. Would this increase in revenue improve their service? I highly doubt it. Straight into their pockets.

I wish trains were in the public purse again. Never going to get people out of cars otherwise.

All this technology is just making life miserable. First airports now train stations. How come train companies have managed since the Victorian times all the way until now without these barriers but they can't now? I have been to train stations elsewhere in the UK and they do fine without any barriers at all! Manual or otherwise!

 

[OxtedL]

Where to begin? I'm sure others will be along to help soon, but here's a start...

"and it's also assuming that the customer is being honest about their origin and destination!"

How would the barriers be able to solve this problem? You could buy a ticket to Paisley and stay on the train to Ayr. The barriers won't be able to tell the difference. If the conductor inspects your ticket before Paisley there's nothing to really stop you from just staying on? Again barriers serve no purpose in this regard.

Barriers at both ends solve this. And even just barriers in central areas (more expensive tickets) prevent fare dodgers from making huge savings.

"But the manual barriers will let anyone with any ticket through.....In many cases, they just give up and let everyone through because they are so ineffective. "

Exactly the argument for on-train ticket inspections and not the useless barriers. Can the automatic barriers tell the difference between ticket types and destinations?

Yes. Yes, they can.

"But the manual barriers that you support aren't excessive? They serve the same purpose. And, as I've mentioned before, you can get through the barrier with any valid ticket for that station, but it may not be valid on the train. "

No I dont support manual barriers either. If they are going to inspect the ticket on the train there is no need to inspect it at the platform. One or the other not both. Getting your ticket checked twice is excessive. There has to be barriers at times when the train is jam packed but at those times the automatic barriers will just slow everyone down.

Sorry, what about the dishonest people who cheat about start/end locations? Checking at each end as well as on the train has to help this...

A couple of more things to add. Recently I was on the East Kilbride train and I realised that it was the express train so didn't stop at my stop. I had to get off and go and get on the correct one at another platform. The manual barrier there let me through. With the automatic barrier my ticket would be cancelled. Another draw back!

Complete rubbish. There is always someone on hand to help you through.

Another time I got a text from a friend and I decided to get back off the train to go and meet him and got another train home an hour later. The automatic barrier would prevent me from doing this.

Also rubbish.

My girlfriend is on a course where she needs to hand in her tickets at the end of the week to claim travel expenses. The barriers at Queen Street nick your ticket as you leave, I am sure the ones in Central will too. Major Drawback!

Get a receipt. (Doh!) If necessary, ask the person manning the gates to let you through/rescue your ticket.

The barriers will just slow a very busy station down. Make people miss trains. Make it difficult for people with shopping and other items, when your hands are full its hard to put a ticket through a stupid machine. Barriers are at subways because there is no ontrain staff apart from the driver, it is unnecessary on manned trains.

They reduce crush on platforms in the PM peak. And generally they don't obstruct flow substantially anyway.

I also don't understand how the those blue car assistance things are going to get through the barriers and the little buffet car things.

They manage fine in London.

 

[scotsman]

Yes they are incompetent. I have been on trains many a time when the train is pretty much empty but the conductor just goes into his little cabin at the back not bothering to come up and down the train. That is incompetence in the train crews.

Please stop, have you ever done their job? I haven't, only Volunteer Ticket Inspector on the Strathspey Railway, but I can think of various scenarios in which train crew don't venture out.
1. They have been told not to
2. The passengers on the train have been drinking and they'd rather not get their head kicked in.

Let me give you a scenario from the Strathspey. You board the train, having purchased a ticket at the ticket office. You walk down the train and pass the Guard's Office. In it you observe three people in uniform sitting down, talking.

Please explain what I am doing wrong.[/QUOTE]

 

[CarterUSM]

These barriers will pay for themselves very quickly, i'm sure we will find out as soon as they do. Seing as Malcom travels on the EK train I am sure he will know how busy they can be. I agree with his point that more on train staff, ATE's for instance, would be beneficial , though they are provided on a handful of morning peak trains currently . They won't make my job much easier on the Central bound leg, though perhaps it will encourage more passengers to actually use the ticketing facilities, if provided, at their home station. I'm also sure the Crossmyloof punters will actively chase me up the train all day too begging for a ticket! Incidently Malcolm, many stations were manually barriered for decades before BR's "open station" policy, so they managed for years WITH barriers. Automatic barriers at Central are long overdue in my opinion.

 

[Failed Unit]

In Central areas barriers need to be there to help, but even with the barriers because the 170s don't have corridor connections it is still very easy to get between Edinburgh and Glasgow very cheaply. Buy a Glasgow - high street and Haymarket - Edinburgh combo, mega saving. Sit in the front 3. Luckily most people are too honest for this. Hopefully once the central stations are complete the staff can be used to help check on trains and have a member of staff per train. I understand this is why they don't have trolleys in the front 3 any more, because no one can check if you have a valid 1st ticket. However Charing cross getting gated will stop the massive flow of flexipass re-users if it covers the lifts. If it doesn't why did they bother?