Euston Gateline Query with Nominee Pass

[BJames]

When I went to tap out my oyster card on the gateline at Euston today, my pass was rejected with error code 57. I understand that error code 57 on a gateline means "57, PPT INVLD, Location not covered by PPT (pre-paid ticket)" - as it happens, the gateline was left open so I just walked straight out but before I contact TfL to suggest that the gateline may be misconfigured, I want to ensure I am correct.

I have a Bus Operator Nominee Oyster - these are valid for all TfL services but not valid for any national rail services at all (slightly different to the TfL Staff Nominee Card). I have tried to use this before between Euston and South Hampstead and it didn't work at Euston but it did work at South Hampstead. This was over a year ago now though and I haven't travelled on this stretch for a while, so I thought the barriers may accept it now - but it didn't. As mentioned I walked out anyway.

Is the barrier meant to block this because national rail services may depart from these platforms so it's configured to be manually checked by staff that you're going to the Overground? This situation does not happen at Liverpool Street and I have not had any issues tapping in and out at the gateline there despite the platforms being shared with National Rail services. Or is this likely a fault that I should report so that I can use the gateline as normal in the future? I am confident that I can use the pass out of Euston and it's the only station on this line that I have had not accept the pass - I haven't seen anything in the T&Cs that says I cannot use Euston on the pass and I can't think why I wouldn't be able to, but if I'm wrong I'd rather discover that now than after I contact TfL.

Thanks!

 

[redreni]

I have a Bus Operator Nominee Oyster - these are valid for all TfL services but not valid for any national rail services at all

Which? TfL operates some National Rail services, so some services (including London Overground into Euston) fall into both those categories.

London Overground remains part of the National Rail network no matter how much TfL tries to obscure the fact. Perhaps you mean it's not valid on non-TfL-operated National Rail services?

I'm unaware of any reason why it wouldn't be valid on London Overground into Euston, but I'm no expert on these matters. If it isn't valid that ought to be made clear to card holders.

 

[DavyCrocket]

Was this at a gateline not usually used by Overground?

As you say it’s valid on TfL railway services, but not National Rail. So a staff or staff nominee could use Avanti (with extension ticket) or London North Western from there to Watford, but you could not.

There are some other stations (such as London Bridge) where a staff or staff nominee pass will allow passage through some ticket gates but not others

 

[BJames]

Sorry I wasn't clear. I did indeed mean it's not valid on non-TfL operated National Rail services. It is valid on all London Overground services.

It was Platform 9 at Euston - I am pretty certain this is the regular LO platform there?

 

[hkstudent]

Sorry I wasn't clear. I did indeed mean it's not valid on non-TfL operated National Rail services. It is valid on all London Overground services.

It was Platform 9 at Euston - I am pretty certain this is the regular LO platform there?

It's likely a gateline programming error by London Northwestern at the gateline, to wrongly categorising bus team pass as not valid as they only think of their own but not London Overground.

I suspect you may need to go two ways, one complain to LNWR and then one internal email to the union / TfL Sponsored Service Department (based in Palestra) to push for gateline setup to change.

 

[Haywain]

I suspect you may need to go two ways, one complain to LNWR and then one internal email to the union / TfL Sponsored Service Department (based in Palestra) to push for gateline setup to change.

The third option is just to suck it up - it's hardly a major inconvenience.

 

[Watershed]

The third option is just to suck it up - it's hardly a major inconvenience.

It is if you make the journey regularly!

 

[Haywain]

It is if you make the journey regularly!

That doesn't appear to be the case for the OP, but I agree it can be having been in a similar situation for the best part of 20 years. The advantage of being regular is you get recognised by the regular staff.

 

[Watershed]

The advantage of being regular is you get recognised by the regular staff.

Indeed - I still get let through the barriers at some stations as soon as I approach, if the "right" member of staff is on duty!

 

[CyrusWuff]

It's likely a gateline programming error by London Northwestern at the gateline, to wrongly categorising bus team pass as not valid as they only think of their own but not London Overground.

Alternatively it's a deliberate decision given there are significantly more services such passes aren't valid on than that they are valid on.

It's likely that all of the NR gates share the same configuration, rather than there being a separate one for the suburban platforms.

That being the case, manual checks - whilst inconvenient - are the least worst option for avoiding potential issues with Revenue Protection staff.

I believe similar issues arise with TOC Staff Passes at Elizabeth Line and London Overground gatelines, for those TOCs that get free travel on same.

This causes particular issues at London Overground stations when staff aren't present at the gateline but it's still in normal operation mode.