Passengers denied boarding at Blackpool North?

[duncanp]

Once everybody was herded back onto the station, we were then let back out the door we came through originally, back onto the same train, and allowed to board. We eventually departed perhaps 25 minutes late.

Farcical...

That really is ridiculous - I am lost for words.

Don't the staff at Blackpool North realise they are making more work for themselves, and other staff such as the crew of the service which is delayed?

If they don't want people to access the platform, they should get off their backsides and make sure the relevant access doors are closed. They shouldn't be messing passengers around and ******* them off because of their errors and omissions.

 

[172007]

Shame the Conservative's didn't have their conference in Blackpool. Would love to see Insulate GB vs Blackpool staff with a gluing ourselves to the platform or even blocking the station gates, would say trapping staff cars in the car park but that would too far.

 

[BayPaul]

Unfortunately there's a thread going on elsewhere showing that London Underground staff don't know their own ticketing rules either, so I think it's just classic Great British Incompetence (none of that foreign "doing it properly" muck), not easy to get rid of that as it's endemic.

The big difference there is that the underground thread was talking about some fairly specific and rarely used ticketing rules (in comparison to the vast number of people travelling), and by the sounds of it, the staff were pleasant about it, and let him through the barrier in the end, whilst at Blackpool the staff appear at times not to understand the fairly fundamental rule that passengers who have bought a ticket might want to get on the train.

 

[Merseysider]

What would realistically happen if trains were advertised on the departure boards like normal and passengers were free to walk through & board as soon as their platform was advertised? Are the platforms too small to hold everyone, or something?

 

[GordonT]

Shame the Conservative's didn't have their conference in Blackpool. Would love to see Insulate GB vs Blackpool staff with a gluing ourselves to the platform or even blocking the station gates, would say trapping staff cars in the car park but that would too far.

Alternatively perhaps more practically everyone who has posted on here with a bad experience at Blackpool North should write to the CEO of Northern Trains Ltd. to alert him to the need for a proper review of customer service standards at this station. Details of who he is are available from the following link: https://www.globalrailwayreview.com/news/97790/northern-appoints-nick-donovan-managing-director/

 

[Agent_Squash]

Shame the Conservative's didn't have their conference in Blackpool. Would love to see Insulate GB vs Blackpool staff with a gluing ourselves to the platform or even blocking the station gates, would say trapping staff cars in the car park but that would too far.

They’re having their Spring Forum there next year, though.

 

[Bletchleyite]

What would realistically happen if trains were advertised on the departure boards like normal and passengers were free to walk through & board as soon as their platform was advertised? Are the platforms too small to hold everyone, or something?

Nothing of any consequence.

 

[Deafdoggie]

What would realistically happen if trains were advertised on the departure boards like normal and passengers were free to walk through & board as soon as their platform was advertised? Are the platforms too small to hold everyone, or something?

The staff would go berserk! But other than that, nothing at all. Platforms same as many others.

 

[Merseysider]

Perhaps the station needs a visit from this guy

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

How was the discussed situation allowed to develop in the first place?

 

[Ken H]

The staff would go berserk! But other than that, nothing at all. Platforms same as many others.

seriously lacking in canopies tho

 

[Starmill]

How was the discussed situation allowed to develop in the first place?

There were historically hoses on the platforms which are no longer there, and sre sometimes given as the reason for the previous policy.

 

[Vespa]

Alternatively perhaps more practically everyone who has posted on here with a bad experience at Blackpool North should write to the CEO of Northern Trains Ltd. to alert him to the need for a proper review of customer service standards at this station. Details of who he is are available from the following link: https://www.globalrailwayreview.com/news/97790/northern-appoints-nick-donovan-managing-director/

I'm sure many have done that many times, in my experience complaint department is designed to be a roadblock where they hand out meaningless apologies while burying the complaint deep where no one will find it.

The only effective way is to film undercover with as many footage as possible then release it to social media and TV news outlet, it would then go from burying complaints to damage limitation as they have been publicly exposed, the railway regulators will become interested once they hear about it in the open.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

It needs a journalist such as Laura Kuenssberg to interview one of the current crop who now run Northern Trains or a similar senior manager of that new company appearing on "Hard Talk" being asked some searching questions by Stephen Sackur.

 

[Ediswan]

Sign the station up for a 'fly on the wall' documentary series.

 

[Elecman]

There were historically hoses on the platforms which are no longer there, and sre sometimes given as the reason for the previous policy.

There still are hose reels on the platforms

 

[ChrisC]

The last time I visited Blackpool North several years ago I had a negative experience with the barrier staff but then a much more positive experience with the ticket office staff.

I have found the same. In complete contrast to the rudeness of the barrier staff the ticket office staff at Blackpool North are really friendly and helpful. I have had no problems getting them to sell me split tickets including an Off Peak Return to Chorley along with a Greater Manchester Wayfarer. You wouldn’t get that at Sheffield!

 

[Deafdoggie]

I have found the same. In complete contrast to the rudeness of the barrier staff the ticket office staff at Blackpool North are really friendly and helpful. I have had no problems getting them to sell me split tickets including an Off Peak Return to Chorley along with a Greater Manchester Wayfarer. You wouldn’t get that at Sheffield!

Imagine if they swapped the ticket office staff at Blackpool with the ticket office staff at Sheffield.

 

[BluePenguin]

This place has been an issue for years. The operator should get undercover managers to hang around to see what goes on, then report back to bosses to get it sorted
Will GB rail be able to enforce good practice from the contractors?

I am surprised one of the railway influencer types such as Geoff Marshall has not already done this. A few viral videos would do a lot of damage.

They are the ones with a sufficient following to cause a stir large enough to promote change. Complaining to Northern is pointless, they already know about poor staff conduct and don't have any interest in dealing with it. Why? Because their main concern is money over providing good customer service. Whether you are on their trains or not is irreverent after you have purchased a ticket and they have got their money

 

[LOL The Irony]

I am surprised one of the railway influencer types such as Geoff Marshall has not already done this. A few viral videos would do a lot of damage.

As much as he could force some change, he's not that type of guy. When it happened during ATS, all he did was complain to Northern via twitter.

 

[BluePenguin]

As much as he could force some change, he's not that type of guy. When it happened during ATS, all he did was complain to Northern via twitter.

That did a whole lot of good didn't it? No doubt their Twitter team are a white label outsourcing company whose staff have never been to Blackpool North anyway.

Geoff would certainly prefer to make trendy informational videos and polish his personal brand rather than use his credentials to spark controversial change, leading the way to a better railway for all. Anyone else up to the job who could generate enough transaction?

The staff in question are seriously intimidating and have caused havoc and misery for countless people. This deviant behaviour should not go unpunished. Will there ever be an end to this saga once and for all?

 

[Starmill]

It would be most appropriate for someone who lives in Blackpool or another nearby constituency, and who travels semi-frequently at least through Blackpool North, to contact their MP with a bit of evidence of the persistent problem.

They may then write to Northern looking to ask some searching questions.

 

[Fleetwoodflyer]

What would realistically happen if trains were advertised on the departure boards like normal and passengers were free to walk through & board as soon as their platform was advertised? Are the platforms too small to hold everyone, or something?

Quite often the departure boards show platforms for trains which have not yet arrived, some of which could be heavily loaded at this time of year because of Illuminations visitors.I am not sure there is really enough space for both arriving and departing passengers at the same time without causing a safety issue.

 

[Mikey C]

The station baffles me

I arrived on Friday 1st October on a not especially busy train from Manchester at around midday, and there was a physical ticket inspection to get into the building. Followed by ticket barriers as well

Then I left on Sunday 3rd for Liverpool. My train was the 11:32 from Platform 1 (I think), but there was a big queue for the 11:17 to York from Platform 3 or 4 which I joined, as I wasn't sure if that was also the Liverpool queue as well (the entrance to P1 is in the corner, so there's no space for its queue.

Then a member of staff announced the Liverpool train and opened the door, so we were able to stroll out at out leisure and board our train, while everyone else waiting for the earlier York train was still stuck inside in the queue.

 

[AMD]

there was a physical ticket inspection to get into the building. Followed by ticket barriers as well

This happens periodically as the gates are an older type which haven't got the latest software and will actually accept many tickets that they should reject.

 

[matt_world2004]

That did a whole lot of good didn't it? No doubt their Twitter team are a white label outsourcing company whose staff have never been to Blackpool North anyway.

Geoff would certainly prefer to make trendy informational videos and polish his personal brand rather than use his credentials to spark controversial change, leading the way to a better railway for all. Anyone else up to the job who could generate enough transaction?

The staff in question are seriously intimidating and have caused havoc and misery for countless people. This deviant behaviour should not go unpunished. Will there ever be an end to this saga once and for all?

Geoff is not a reporter his job is more of documentation of features rather than reporter of news

 

[yorkie]

Geoff is not a reporter his job is more of documentation of features rather than reporter of news

Agreed; it's not really @geofftech's remit/role/style to lead a campaign against a TOC and it's a bit unfair for people to expect that.

As lovely as it would be, it's pure fantasy.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Oct 2021 ==

The station baffles me

I arrived on Friday 1st October on a not especially busy train from Manchester at around midday, and there was a physical ticket inspection to get into the building. Followed by ticket barriers as well

Then I left on Sunday 3rd for Liverpool. My train was the 11:32 from Platform 1 (I think), but there was a big queue for the 11:17 to York from Platform 3 or 4 which I joined, as I wasn't sure if that was also the Liverpool queue as well (the entrance to P1 is in the corner, so there's no space for its queue.

Then a member of staff announced the Liverpool train and opened the door, so we were able to stroll out at out leisure and board our train, while everyone else waiting for the earlier York train was still stuck inside in the queue.

Yes, this is not uncommon.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Oct 2021 ==

Will there ever be an end to this saga once and for all?

I doubt it. Northern management must be aware of the situation and choose to do nothing about it. Who is going to make them? Transport Focus? Don't make me laugh. The Rail Ombudsman? Do me a favour! There is no-one who can make them behave.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Oct 2021 ==

It needs a journalist such as Laura Kuenssberg to interview one of the current crop who now run Northern Trains or a similar senior manager of that new company appearing on "Hard Talk" being asked some searching questions by Stephen Sackur.

As lovely as this idea sounds, Northern management wouldn't agree to be grilled in this manner.

As Kevin Keegan might say, I would "love it" if it happened, but it aint happening.

That said, if there is ever a "Meet the manager" session I could get to, I'd be interested in asking some difficult questions...

 

[Wolfie]

Agreed; it's not really @geofftech's remit/role/style to lead a campaign against a TOC and it's a bit unfair for people to expect that.

As lovely as it would be, it's pure fantasy.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Oct 2021 ==


Yes, this is not uncommon.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Oct 2021 ==


I doubt it. Northern management must be aware of the situation and choose to do nothing about it. Who is going to make them? Transport Focus? Don't make me laugh. The Rail Ombudsman? Do me a favour! There is no-one who can make them behave.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Oct 2021 ==


As lovely as this idea sounds, Northern management wouldn't agree to be grilled in this manner.

As Kevin Keegan might say, I would "love it" if it happened, but it aint happening.

That said, if there is ever a "Meet the manager" session I could get to, I'd be interested in asking some difficult questions...

An MP or two raising the issue with the SofS for Transport could make life interesting. I'm not so sure that Northern would so easily ignore DfT as they might Joe Public....

 

[bramling]

Agreed; it's not really @geofftech's remit/role/style to lead a campaign against a TOC and it's a bit unfair for people to expect that.

As lovely as it would be, it's pure fantasy.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Oct 2021 ==


Yes, this is not uncommon.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Oct 2021 ==


I doubt it. Northern management must be aware of the situation and choose to do nothing about it. Who is going to make them? Transport Focus? Don't make me laugh. The Rail Ombudsman? Do me a favour! There is no-one who can make them behave.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Oct 2021 ==


As lovely as this idea sounds, Northern management wouldn't agree to be grilled in this manner.

As Kevin Keegan might say, I would "love it" if it happened, but it aint happening.

That said, if there is ever a "Meet the manager" session I could get to, I'd be interested in asking some difficult questions...

Northern don’t care because Blackpool is a fairly insignificant backwater of their network, and upsetting the types of people who travel to/from Blackpool weighs in less than upsetting the status quo with the staff there.

That said, there have been some pretty unpleasant security-type staff at more significant places like Piccadilly in the past, but this does seem to have improved significantly compared to a few years ago?

Blackpool is an awful station serving a town which, being diplomatic, is an acquired taste (personally I have a bit of a soft spot for it, but anyone I tell I’ve been there expresses horror at the mere prospect), and which attracts is fair share of problem people, some of which no doubt spill over into the railway station. The “anyone using the station is the enemy” method of working is the way the staff feel is their way of managing all this, and having been the case for very many years has become sufficient entrenched that they’re totally closed to the possibility of trying different ways of working. It is, unfortunately, not too hard to see why addressing all this seems to end up in the “too difficult” box.

I don’t think it’s going to change.

 

[142blue]

Problem is that service is hopelessly low capacity - one two car train per hour.

Plus walking/tram-ing along the promenade past various arcades is part of the fun.

See from my experience a lot of people I speak to don't know the line exists.