Barrier retaining ticket

[oversteer]

On my daily journey (anytime return) the outbound ticket is always retained, but the return ticket is usually (80% of the time) returned to me by the barrier, even though the ticket is no longer valid.

Why is this ? Doesn't seem to be barrier specific. I end up with a pocket full of RTN that then confuse me the next morning

 

[yorkie]

It sounds like whatever station your origin is, has all the barriers set to retain tickets. The opppsite appears to be the case for your destination station. Perhaps a different policy for different TOCs, or for other reasons, or perhaps simply because the station managers have different ideas.

 

[strange6]

It sounds like whatever station your origin is, has all the barriers set to retain tickets. The opppsite appears to be the case for your destination station. Perhaps a different policy for different TOCs, or for other reasons, or perhaps simply because the station managers have different ideas.

Barriers normally return the returns to you because you'll need to show it to the guard / RPI's for your return journey?

 

[oversteer]

Same TOC.
Didn't realise that managers had discretion over the barriers like that.

To clarify, my outbound ticket always seems to get kept, while the return ticket is usually returned to me. (after having completed my journey!)

 

[MikeWh]

Some stations are set to do that because the ticket may be valid to more than one station. For example, I believe that tickets to Waterloo main station are returned in case the passenger wants to go to Charing Cross.

 

[strange6]

Same TOC.
Didn't realise that managers had discretion over the barriers like that.

To clarify, my outbound ticket always seems to get kept, while the return ticket is usually returned to me. (after having completed my journey!)

I must be going daft because I don't understand. Outbound tickets at your destination are normally kept because they are spent. Your return ticket, going from the same destination and thus the same barriers, will be returned because you need it to show the guards and the RPI's at the other end of your return journey.
Sorry if I'm missing something, oversteer, but it's been a bad day

 

[Mojo]

I must be going daft because I don't understand. Outbound tickets at your destination are normally kept because they are spent. Your return ticket, going from the same destination and thus the same barriers, will be returned because you need it to show the guards and the RPI's at the other end of your return journey.
Sorry if I'm missing something, oversteer, but it's been a bad day

He means that the return portion is given back to him at his destination.

 

[strange6]

He means that the return portion is given back to him at his destination.

Oh right, he made it sound like he was going through the same barrier in two different places lol

 

[Tom B]

What is the procedure in a case where the company has run a delayed train, a passenger wishes to claim their refund, but the barriers have swallowed the ticket?

 

[yorkie]

Oh right, he made it sound like he was going through the same barrier in two different places lol

It's not well-worded to be fair.

Unless we are told the destination station it is impossible to comment, really.

As for whether station managers have discretion or not, well I would expect they would be able to program the gates to how they see fit, but of course company policy may well restrict what they can/can't/should do.

But in general the person operating the barriers can set them to reject whatever tickets they want, and I assume that they can choose whether or not to retain/return tickets too.

 

[First class]

It's not well-worded to be fair.

But in general the person operating the barriers can set them to reject whatever tickets they want, and I assume that they can choose whether or not to retain/return tickets too.

Generally the person operating the gates can do the following:

a) No Geography - checks date/time, but DOESN'T check origin/destination so gives you ticket back because it isn't sure whether it is a complete journey.
b) Full Checking - checks everything, retains ticket when completed or returns for you to carry on if not.
c) Accept All - checks that it is some sort of "rail" ticket but nothing more. Always returns to you.
d) Special Rules - allows you to reject up to 20 different NLCs, allows you to reject specific ticket types or specific passenger status codes, (railcards, LACON etc).

You can also choose from pre-programmed options with regards to CHILD checking: Monitor, will flash orange but return ticket. Alarm, will beep but allow you to enter/exit. Reject, Will flash, beep and reject ticket.

 

[island]

What is the procedure in a case where the company has run a delayed train, a passenger wishes to claim their refund, but the barriers have swallowed the ticket?

The best thing to do if you know you need to retain your ticket for a claim is to speak to the gateline attendant who will generally let you out with the ticket. If you don't think to retain your ticket, I suppose you could use your booking reference, or receipt if you have one.

 

[northwichcat]

On my daily journey (anytime return) the outbound ticket is always retained, but the return ticket is usually (80% of the time) returned to me by the barrier, even though the ticket is no longer valid.

Why is this ? Doesn't seem to be barrier specific. I end up with a pocket full of RTN that then confuse me the next morning

What is your journey?

If for instance, it was Liverpool STNs to Chester and you were using Liverpool James Street Station then when you arrive at Chester in the morning you've reached the only station in Chester so your ticket is no longer valid. On the other hand at Liverpool James Street Station in the evening you could still travel to Liverpool Moorfields, Liverpool Lime Street or Liverpool Central on the same ticket.

(In the example I've given the barriers at Liverpool James Street would eat your ticket and you'd have to speak to the guy at the manual barrier if you did want to leave the station, then return for onward travel to another station but it is an example of where your return ticket is still valid.)

 

[142094]

What is the procedure in a case where the company has run a delayed train, a passenger wishes to claim their refund, but the barriers have swallowed the ticket?

It depends on what TOC. I always ask to keep my ticket in caes such as this and have always been allowed to do so. However I've been told words along the line of "You should have got a receipt as well" from a memebr of barrier staff at Blackpool North who seemed to be a bit ****ed off letting me through. I've never sent in a receipt for a ticket when claiming money back but I wouldn't be suprised if the claim was rejected. After all the receipt could have been for a different journey which costs the same price.

 

[taxidave]

I arrived in Paddington a few weeks back after being delayed over an hour and my train pulled into a platform without a barrier, next to HEX, I don't know if this was deliberate but there was obviously no problem with retaining my ticket.
Oh and when I made a request for a refund it was refused, cows on the line were not FGW's fault apparently. :cry:

 

[wibble]

Oh and when I made a request for a refund it was refused, cows on the line were not FGW's fault apparently. :cry:

It won't be FGW's 'fault' unless they've diversified into dairy!

 

[trainophile]

Bit of a pain if you need to submit your ticket on an expenses claim too.

 

[LexyBoy]

It won't be FGW's 'fault' unless they've diversified into dairy!

Would it not be Network Rail's fault for not maintaining the fences?

Or FGW's for not fitting one of these?

 

[WillPS]

It depends on what TOC. I always ask to keep my ticket in caes such as this and have always been allowed to do so. However I've been told words along the line of "You should have got a receipt as well" from a memebr of barrier staff at Blackpool North who seemed to be a bit ****ed off letting me through. I've never sent in a receipt for a ticket when claiming money back but I wouldn't be suprised if the claim was rejected. After all the receipt could have been for a different journey which costs the same price.

I've had this argument before with barrier staff. A lot of companies will only reimburse Standard travel costs, so want to see your ticket to validate. I'm not sure how much revenue is lost through using a ticket twice with a one day validity but I can't imagine it's exceptionally high.

 

[142094]

I've had this argument before with barrier staff. A lot of companies will only reimburse Standard travel costs, so want to see your ticket to validate. I'm not sure how much revenue is lost through using a ticket twice with a one day validity but I can't imagine it's exceptionally high.

Most of the time I think it is just that they cannot be arsed to look for the ticket. They don't exactly have the hardest job in the world and the attitude of some barrier staff is appauling.

 

[northwichcat]

I'm not sure how much revenue is lost through using a ticket twice with a one day validity but I can't imagine it's exceptionally high.

As I've said in other threads below we need barriers that print on the ticket then return it to you. For instance put "Exit MAN 24.03.11 16:19" The back of the tickets could be kept advert free to allow barrier info to be printed.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It depends on what TOC. I always ask to keep my ticket in caes such as this and have always been allowed to do so. However I've been told words along the line of "You should have got a receipt as well" from a memebr of barrier staff at Blackpool North who seemed to be a bit ****ed off letting me through. I've never sent in a receipt for a ticket when claiming money back but I wouldn't be suprised if the claim was rejected. After all the receipt could have been for a different journey which costs the same price.

When Northern started installing barriers they did put up posters at a lot of stations saying that the barrier will take your ticket and that if you need proof of purchase get a receipt. However, how much would this slow down conductors issuing tickets if a lot of people asked for them and how much lost revenue would that equate to (as some ticketless passengers will alight at small village stations)?

 

[island]

As I've said in other threads below we need barriers that print on the ticket then return it to you. For instance put "Exit MAN 24.03.11 16:19" The back of the tickets could be kept advert free to allow barrier info to be printed.

Irish Rail used to do this, but then started installing Scheidt & Bachmann gates which don't any more.