Platform Tickets

[158_Sprinter]

Is it still possible to buy platform tickets at National Rail stations?

 

[Crossforth]

It depends which station. Each station is different. Leeds certainly does but you can't put it in the barriers but have to show it to the Gateline staff

 

[158_Sprinter]

It's Plymouth station, do I just go up to the ticket office and ask for a platform ticket? What is the usual price?

 

[richw]

Could it be just as easy to buy a ticket to devonport?

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[hairyhandedfool]

A platform ticket *should* be available at any manned station, for use at that station. The FRPP states that they cost 10p.

 

[ChrisTheRef]

They cost 10p. Pretty sure Plymouth will sell them

 

[IainH]

I think I recall reading that there is only an obligation on a TOC to issue these where a station is in a penalty fare zone. That was a while back, so could have changed. General experience is that some stations will just wave you on if you are clearly seeing someone off, but others are grumpy.

 

[First class]

There has never been an OBLIGATION to sell them.

There is a requirement to ensure that enthusiasts are able to carry out their activities, for which a charge may be payable, and that anyone assisting a mobility limited person can access free of charge.

Platform Tickets

If customers are not travelling by train and need to enter a 'compulsory ticket area' (or for example where there are ticket barriers in operation and they wish to assist someone onto the train or if they are a railway enthusiast) they may need to buy a Platform Ticket. Where sold, they cost ten pence (10p) from the station ticket office. There is no charge to assist a disabled passenger to a train.

At other stations without barriers, unstaffed stations or at stations managed by some train companies a Platform Ticket may not be required and customers are advised to check with the ticket office, where possible, before entering the platform. Each train company will advise their retail staff of their policy on platform tickets.

 

[John @ home]

Platform Tickets

Where sold, they cost ten pence (10p) from the station ticket office.

They have cost double that at Leeds for the last five years at least.

 

[richw]

Leeds charge you 20p to use the toilet last time i was there.

 

[glenbogle]

Was in Plymouth in June and they requested you donated 50p to a charity bucket to gain access to the platforms, hope this helps.

 

[richw]

the charity bucket is a good idea, i'd rather pay 50p to a charity than 10p to a TOC to just stand on their platform

 

[Mutant Lemming]

Do they still sell them at Earls Court as a means of going from the Earls Court Road end to Warwick Road and vice versa ?

 

[yorkie]

Has anyone tried obtaining a platform ticket from Waterloo East? (before anyone says there are no barriers; there are - at the Southwark entrance and there's also a side entrance that has barriers. The vast majority of customers would use the non-barriered walkway from Waterloo main concourse) now there's a challenge!

(BTW the Southwark entrance can be used free of charge by Oyster card holders, by touching in as usual (the maximum fare is deducted) at the entrance, and then touching out at the exit (the full fare is then refunded) - or vice-versa to exit)

 

[zero]

(BTW the Southwark entrance can be used free of charge by Oyster card holders, by touching in as usual (the maximum fare is deducted) at the entrance, and then touching out at the exit (the full fare is then refunded) - or vice-versa to exit)

Is this true for other oyster-barriered stations? About 4 months ago I was at Shepherds Bush Overground, the train was cancelled, I had a travelcard so was not charged but the PAYG user in front was, as she got very angry about it.

 

[MikeWh]

Is this true for other oyster-barriered stations? About 4 months ago I was at Shepherds Bush Overground, the train was cancelled, I had a travelcard so was not charged but the PAYG user in front was, as she got very angry about it.

No, it's a special concession at Southwark and I think it only applies when going between the two gatelines, not if you exit the same gateline as you entered.

Same station exit charges depend on the length of time between touch in and touch out. If it is less than 2 minutes then the entry charge remains on the card. It is cancelled if you re-enter the same or any other station within the next 45 minutes. Between 2 and 30 minutes will result in the minimum fare for a single journey from that station being charged. Over 30 minutes is treated as two incomplete journeys and thus you get double the entry charge. In all cases, if there is a genuine reason for changing plans then any charge will be refunded by the helpdesk.

 

[T163R]

Okay I may sound stupid, but what are Platform Tickets ?

 

[MikeWh]

Okay I may sound stupid, but what are Platform Tickets ?

Tickets that permit access to the platform but do not allow you to travel on any trains. They are usually issued to enthusiasts or when people wish to see friends/relatives off on a train and the station has barriers.

 

[strange6]

Many years ago, there was a wall mounted machine at Wigan North Western where its sole purpose was to dispense platform tickets for the lump sum of 10 pence.

 

[AlterEgo]

The charity bucket is a great idea. It probably costs more than 10p to issue a ticket in any case.

The bucket is welcoming to the genuine enthusiast, saves TOC time when rail passengers could be being served, and raises money for good causes.

Where else is this practiced?

 

[John @ home]

Many years ago, there was a wall mounted machine at Wigan North Western where its sole purpose was to dispense platform tickets for the lump sum of 10 pence.

That wasn't many years ago! In my youth, it cost 2 (old) pence.

 

[12CSVT]

In the 1980s there were dispensers at many stations which charged 6p (three 2p coins) for a platform ticket. I remember saving up loads of 2p coins in my younger days for this purpose.

 

[158_Sprinter]

Thanks all for your help.

At Plymouth there's a banner over the barriers requesting that if you are entering the platforms but aren't travelling then make a donation to a charity.

So I put 50p in the charity bucket and gained access to the platform.

 

[hughesfowler]

Manchester Oxford rd, no problem, 10 pence from the booking office

 

[Lampshade]

Has anyone tried obtaining a platform ticket from Waterloo East? (before anyone says there are no barriers; there are - at the Southwark entrance and there's also a side entrance that has barriers. The vast majority of customers would use the non-barriered walkway from Waterloo main concourse) now there's a challenge!

(BTW the Southwark entrance can be used free of charge by Oyster card holders, by touching in as usual (the maximum fare is deducted) at the entrance, and then touching out at the exit (the full fare is then refunded) - or vice-versa to exit)

My theory on that is Waterloo East is part of the Waterloo complex and so a Waterloo platform ticket would be acceptable.

However, I shall try to acquire one

 

[island]

As it's only TVMs at the two barriered entrances, I do wonder where you're supposed to get a platform ticket if you want one! And then I don't think WAE is a CTA, so you may not need one anyhow.

 

[Old Timer]

That wasn't many years ago! In my youth, it cost 2 (old) pence.

Oh what a youngster !

In my day it was a 1/2d in proper money - the equivalent of about 0.25p

1/2d

 

[Paul Kelly]

Leeds charge you 20p to use the toilet last time i was there.

I'm fairly sure it's 30p for the toilet outside the barriers. 10p saving to be had by buying a platform ticket and using the one on the other side...

 

[Greenback]

I too remember the old 2p platform tickets, The machine at Swansea was blue and white and when I was very small if I had been good I was allowed to put the money in myself!

The only trouble was I couldn't reach it without being lifted up!

 

[RJ]

Platform tickets only required where there is a Compulsory Ticket Area in operation, such as most London Overground stations. Anyone else selling them is ripping you off, even if barriers are present.