Laws surrounding door closing alarm and prosecutions for boarding

[infobleep]

Has anyone ever been prosecuted for boarding a train when the door closing alarm sounds?

What would be the penalty for doing so, were someone to be successfully prosecuted for such an illegal act?

I have heard prerecorded announcements at South West Trains stations about riding bikes and skateboards, where they say it is dangerous and is illegal. They seem to stress the illegal part in my opinion.

However I don't remember ever hearing anything for door alarms. Do they make such announcements about it being dangerous and illegal. I'm talking about the whole of the National Rail network, not just South West Trains.

 

[Dr_Intoxicated]

For it to be illegal it would have to be in the bylaws so easy to check?

 

[AlterEgo]

The bylaw states that it is illegal to enter the door while it is "closing", which one might assume means the doors are actually in motion.

Hustle alarms are not mentioned.

 

[Deepgreen]

It's not a crime, and therefore no-one could be prosecuted. I have never seen/heard any reference to the issue in a legal context. GWR, for example, have a recorded announcement asking passengers not to board or alight while the doors are closing.

 

[talltim]

Did the thread title get stuck in the closing doors?

 

[Deepgreen]

Did the thread title get stuck in the closing doors?

That's the problem with such titles!

 

[JaJaWa]

Passenger who obstructed Metro train doors is fined

John Adams, 28, of Kyloe Place, Newbiggin Hall, Newcastle, was found guilty of obstructing the doors of a train in his absence at North Shields Magistrates Court on Wednesday November 13 and ordered to pay £165 in fines and costs.

http://www.nexus.org.uk/news/item/passenger-who-obstructed-metro-train-doors-fined

 

[xotGD]

http://www.nexus.org.uk/news/item/passenger-who-obstructed-metro-train-doors-fined

"obstructing the doors of a train in his absence"

He must have superhero powers!

 

[bolli]

It's not a crime, and therefore no-one could be prosecuted. I have never seen/heard any reference to the issue in a legal context. GWR, for example, have a recorded announcement asking passengers not to board or alight while the doors are closing.

Byelaw 10.5:
In the case of automatic closing doors, no person shall enter or leave by the door when it is closing.

 

[bolli]

Also, byelaw 11.1:
No person shall move, operate, obstruct, stop or in any other way interfere with any automatic closing door, train, or any other equipment on the railway except:
(i) in an emergency, by means of any equipment on or near which
there is a notice indicating that it is intended to be used in an emergency; or
(ii) any equipment intended for the use of passengers in that way in normal operating circumstances.

 

[AndyPJG]

But is it an "automatic door" when it is actually operated by the guard, or driver?

 

[rebmcr]

But is it an "automatic door" when it is actually operated by the guard, or driver?

Yes, the byelaw was written in the context of the then-extant slam door stock (which indeed survive on HSTs).

 

[Bertie the bus]

It’s called a hustle alarm. Hustle means to hurry. Therefore if it doesn’t mean get a move on boarding/alighting what exactly does hustle alarm mean? Hustle certainly does not mean stand clear and boarding whilst the alarm is sounding is in no way obstructing the doors so why people have posted byelaws and a link to a conviction relevant to that is a mystery.

 

[Deepgreen]

It’s called a hustle alarm. Hustle means to hurry. Therefore if it doesn’t mean get a move on boarding/alighting what exactly does hustle alarm mean? Hustle certainly does not mean stand clear and boarding whilst the alarm is sounding is in no way obstructing the doors so why people have posted byelaws and a link to a conviction relevant to that is a mystery.

Indeed; although possibly related to obstruction, simply boarding or alighting during the sounding of the alarm is not an issue. The problem only occurs if an obstruction then ensues.

 

[Great_Western]

It’s called a hustle alarm. Hustle means to hurry. Therefore if it doesn’t mean get a move on boarding/alighting what exactly does hustle alarm mean? Hustle certainly does not mean stand clear and boarding whilst the alarm is sounding is in no way obstructing the doors so why people have posted byelaws and a link to a conviction relevant to that is a mystery.

I'd tend to agree with this. unless you are deliberatly preventing the doors from closing then I cant see how you could be prosecuted. Most guards often just let you in through the local door if you show intent to board anyway.

 

[Deepgreen]

But is it an "automatic door" when it is actually operated by the guard, or driver?

Quite. I would not term it as an automatic door, which I reserve for those which require no human intervention to operate (through movement sensors or other means). It is a power-operated door.

 

[Camden]

Apparently according to some, most people don't understand that the noise is a warning to get out of the way, or even that it might be coming from the train...

 

[route:oxford]

Quite. I would not term it as an automatic door, which I reserve for those which require no human intervention to operate (through movement sensors or other means). It is a power-operated door.

So essentially you are saying the same door can be two different kinds of doors.

When the doors close after a certain period to maintain hotel comfort it is an automatic door, but when doors are closed to depart they are merely power doors?

How does the approaching customer tell the difference?

 

[infobleep]

Did the thread title get stuck in the closing doors?

Unfortunately the app I'm using doesn't warn me thag the title is too long and cuts it off. I shall amend it to something shorter. I was trying to be accurate with the title as it's a question rather than a statement.

 

[infobleep]

Byelaw 10.5:
In the case of automatic closing doors, no person shall enter or leave by the door when it is closing.

I wasn't aware of this until today but then I must admit I've not read all the bylaws.

I was chatting to someone who said he sees people enter and leave trains all the time when the alarm is sounding. At that stage I wasn't aware it only related to the door closing.