Gatelines with only one Wide Access Gate

[Class73Electro]

So, today took my bike up to Petersfield. Went to the gateline to discover it only had one wide/disabled gate, which was naturally in the no-entry mode. No staff around, all gates locked. I had to use a info point (which I only knew about because of this forum, had I not been a member I would have been a bit stumped!). Staff on the other side, must of seen I had a bike ad said use the wide gate. Went back and it was still red, but then just opened up for me (I assume someone must have seen it and opened it from elsewhere)

Is there no way to automatically get it to swap direction? Seems a bit off that to use it you have to go back, find the info point and request they open it. Especially if the platform is busy, meaning going back isn't easy!



^ Photo of gates

 

[stadler]

So, today took my bike up to Petersfield. Went to the gateline to discover it only had one wide/disabled gate, which was naturally in the no-entry mode. No staff around, all gates locked. I had to use a info point (which I only knew about because of this forum, had I not been a member I would have been a bit stumped!). Staff on the other side, must of seen I had a bike ad said use the wide gate. Went back and it was still red, but then just opened up for me (I assume someone must have seen it and opened it from elsewhere)

Is there no way to automatically get it to swap direction? Seems a bit off that to use it you have to go back, find the info point and request they open it. Especially if the platform is busy, meaning going back isn't easy!

View attachment 199210

^ Photo of gates

If there is only one wide aisle ticket barrier then it should be set to bidirectional which allows you to open it from either side. That is what i normally see at locations with only one wide aisle ticket barrier. So they have clearly set it up wrong there.

 

[Mattplans]

Yes it’s been set up wrong. Incidentally, I avoid WAGs set to be bidirectional because there is always an additional delay when using oyster.

 

[talldave]

Yes it’s been set up wrong. Incidentally, I avoid WAGs set to be bidirectional because there is always an additional delay when using oyster.

It's a problem for any NFC card/device in my experience. As with everything rail, I'm sure bidirectional operation could be implemented better. At busy times they're useless.

The OP should log a complaint because either the instructions to staff are wrong or (more likely) the issue is that "Fred who's worked here for 20 years said..." is taking priority.

 

[The exile]

It's a problem for any NFC card/device in my experience. As with everything rail, I'm sure bidirectional operation could be implemented better. At busy times they're useless.

Anything bi-directional is going to be sub-optimal when busy - even an open door!

 

[district]

Yes it’s been set up wrong. Incidentally, I avoid WAGs set to be bidirectional because there is always an additional delay when using oyster.

This is because when set in bi-directional (known as First Come First Served) the card readers (and the CCST slot) on either side of the gate alternate between themselves checking if a card is being presented. The small coloured light changes between red (the other side is being checked) and amber (this side is being checked).

NB This applies to Cubic gates, other types of Gates may work in different ways.

 

[Scotrail344Lad]

Take for instance Bathgate, it's got one wide access gate and is bi-directional

 

[talldave]

Anything bi-directional is going to be sub-optimal when busy - even an open door!

I'm talking about busy in one direction only! It doesn't get fully used because people avoid it, precisely because of all the red/green light dithering involved in getting through it.

 

[LittleRedTrain]

As a passenger, I find some wide gates can be temperamental when in bidirectional mode.
Sometimes it starts off with a green arrow, but if you stand in the wrong place while getting the ticket ready, it seems to think that someone's coming the other way and reverts to 'no entry'. I don't know if there's a sensor that's picking up phantom readings due to the change in light/shadow.
Usually moving away and giving itself a moment to figure itself out, it'll reset and allow you to enter.

 

[markle]

I've seen at several London stations a move towards setting them unidirectional by default, with a staff member changing the direction if needed by a passenger.

It seems to be either where there are insufficient gates at a station for the volume of passengers (as OP's photo suggests) or a belief by staff that it makes it harder for fare evaders to force the gates.

 

[saismee]

I've seen at several London stations a move towards setting them unidirectional by default, with a staff member changing the direction if needed by a passenger.

This is how most single WAGs work at GA stations. Colchester, Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Ely to name a few. One benefit is that the gateline must always be staffed when closed, but it increases conflict with between passengers and gateline staff because for some reason cyclists or wheelchair users always appear while a sea of people try to go the opposite direction, then the sea of people get pissy when you ask them to use the standard barriers.

OP, be thankful that you were using a bike rather than being someone with mobility problems. As you mentioned, getting back to the help point isn't always easy. Please consider complaining because gatelines should never be left unattended.

 

[Parallel]

Whilst not ideal, I’d hit the assistance button on the yellow and grey totem which all remote gatelines should have - the staff should open the gate following presentation of a valid ticket.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I've seen at several London stations a move towards setting them unidirectional by default, with a staff member changing the direction if needed by a passenger.

This is how it's been at Epsom for years now - ever since installation, in fact... and yes, we do only have one wide gate here.