Inter-rail difficulties Portugal

[peteb]

Be aware that the ticket gates installed at CP Portuguese stations don't read Inter-rail barcodes.

More concerning is the lack of staff to let you through the gates. This now falls to "security" staff, who may be engaged elsewhere on the station.

A small crowd gathered at Lisbon tonight returning from Cascais unable to leave the station despite lots of shouting etc.

For many like me the only way to escape was to go one stop out to a non gated station then return via tram!

 

[Giugiaro]

The gated stations in Lisbon (the only ones in Portugal) are incredibly flawed.

They're a massive pain for paper ticket holders, online reservation holders, PMR and even company staff!
They rely on security personnel to handle any situation like the one described by the OP, but there's no staff in most stations at any time of the day.
Calling the company's call centre won't solve the problem.

The railway company does not have staff at the station specifically to deal with gates.
And the infrastructure manager has done everything they could to dehumanise railway stations.

I'll contact someone from Commercial Operations next week to get official guidance on the issue.

 

[dutchflyer]

Having faced this very same some 3 weeks ago-and the week before a very similar situation in several RENFE/Spanish cercanias systems can only agree very much. Though I must also add that leaving Rossio for Sintra they even seemed to have anticipated and very well knew about it and had someone ready at the times most tourists would go-mid morning. In all fairness too: those having a pass with traveldays are far, far better off just buying locally-the fares are pretty low.
In ES one can also use, if having those, the codes on the REServaciones for AVE etc. as these allow a free additional trip-in 4-6 hrs before/after, on cerc, systems-even both sides if available. And in suburban Sevilla many gates were notorious vandalised/out of use and seemingly for a long time.
But a list of all potential difficulties etc on using a pass could fill many pages.

 

[peteb]

Off to Spain next so will report on gates there!

 

[357]

When I was using FIP, I just climbed over them... Nobody batted an eye

 

[Watershed]

Spain is similarly problematic, with seemingly 99% of Cercanías (local train) stations barriered, even unstaffed ones without a help point. Locals let me through by holding their hand in front of the sensor for the exit barriers! At the larger stations you can get a gate pass from the ticket office but obviously that's no use if the ticket office is shut or there isn't one.

 

[AdamWW]

For many like me the only way to escape was to go one stop out to a non gated station then return via tram!

If I were in that situation I'd put in a claim for the delay if possible in an attempt to make it their problem.

 

[peteb]

I threatened to press the green gate release/ emergency button but this almost caused a riot.....maybe it would have evacuated the station?

Also beware of bogus security guards (the official ones don't have a consistent uniform)....one offered to let us out for €10. This was at Lisboa-Cas de Sodre, probably the heaviest used by tourists heading up the coast.

 

[AdamWW]

I threatened to press the green gate release/ emergency button but this almost caused a riot.....maybe it would have evacuated the station?

Also beware of bogus security guards (the official ones don't have a consistent uniform)....one offered to let us out for €10.

Wow!

I would have been tempted to press an emergency button but of course that assumes that any response would be reasonable.

I would be fairly confident in the UK that I wouldn't end up in trouble with the authorities in such circumstances if I genuinely had no other practical way of getting out. But I have no idea about Portugal.

 

[peteb]

Wow!

I would have been tempted to press an emergency button but of course that assumes that any response would be reasonable.

I would be fairly confident in the UK that I wouldn't end up in trouble with the authorities in such circumstances if I genuinely had no other practical way of getting out. But I have no idea about Portugal.

Locals were shouting don't press that button, as if it would spark a major incident! I think there is a huge fine for inappropriate use, but then security would have to catch you and of course they were nowhere to be seen....

 

[Feuillesmortes]

I threatened to press the green gate release

Green suggests that it can be used for non-emergencies.

It worries me that there are bogus security guards hanging around, it's only a small step from that to bogus police demanding to check wallets etc.

 

[peteb]

Yes the guy fooled several people, he used a pass to open the gate to a "pen" then demanded money to open the second gate to the concourse. Those that would not pay had to back out the way they'd come.

The real security should have been vigilant and picked him up....