Virgin Trains barriers?

[crehld]

I don't know Crewe's new entrance, but if the extra entrance is onto a platform (which one?) an option would be to leave that platform (and that platform alone) unbarriered - in the manner of Paddington platform 1.

Neil

The underpass connecting to the new entrance give access to all platforms, except platform 12.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The underpass connecting to the new entrance give access to all platforms, except platform 12.

Ah. I suppose they will need to open a ticket office, or at minimum put a TVM there, then. It could perhaps be done like Slough's remote side on platform 5 - a single-manned ticket office that also supervises the barrier.

That, or change it so direct access to all but one (unbarriered) platform is closed off.

Edit: interesting, the concept picture:
http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/imag...796/Article/images/19637263/5155739-large.jpg
appears to show a barrier line.

Neil

 

[crehld]

Ah. I suppose they will need to open a ticket office, or at minimum put a TVM there, then. It could perhaps be done like Slough's remote side on platform 5 - a single-manned ticket office that also supervises the barrier.

There are two TVMs in the new entrance so you have the ability to buy a limited range of tickets (although try to purchase anything other than a VIRGIN TRAINS ONLY fare to Manchester!) Given it's underground and they've just finished I'm guessing the build a new ticket office is out, so if you want to go to the ticket office to get the full range then at present you have to make your way to the platforms and access the main ticket office from there.

That, or change it so direct access to all but one (unbarriered) platform is closed off.

Neil

This wouldn't really work as Crewe is technically two massive island platforms, platforms 1-5 on one island and 6-11 on the other. Only platform 12 stands in isolation, and this can't be accessed from the underpass.

The best solution would be strict ticket checks on trains, coupled with the odd RPI army / general staff doing spot checks at all the entrances every now and then.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Edit: interesting, the concept picture:
http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/imag...796/Article/images/19637263/5155739-large.jpg
appears to show a barrier line.

Neil

This is exactly how it looks, just without the barrier line. As I said above, the barrier line will probably be installed as it's a franchise commitment, but I can't see it being manned all the time, and will probably just be left open.

 

[ag51ruk]

Ah. I suppose they will need to open a ticket office, or at minimum put a TVM there, then. It could perhaps be done like Slough's remote side on platform 5 - a single-manned ticket office that also supervises the barrier.

That, or change it so direct access to all but one (unbarriered) platform is closed off.

Edit: interesting, the concept picture:
http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/imag...796/Article/images/19637263/5155739-large.jpg
appears to show a barrier line.

Neil

There are also two public exits from platform 12 (to the car park via a footbridge, and to the Horse Landing - where rail replacement buses operate from), with platform 12 accessible from both overbridges but not the subway. So 4 exits from Crewe to cover vs 3 at Stoke.

 

[All Line Rover]

Disappointingly, Virgin Trains is attempting to remove the footbridge at Crewe station (see the attached image which I have received). If the installation of ticket barriers is the reason for this decision, I would be aggrieved. Removing what seems to be a perfectly structurally sound footbridge for the sake of ticket barriers which are unlikely to be operated (at both remaining entrances) for more than a token amount of time each day (and, as has already been pointed out above, passengers from the Weston Road entrance will have to be let through the barriers without a ticket if they are to purchase a ticket from the ticket office), is not a sound decision when these footbridges supposedly cost tens of thousands of pounds to build!

"We apologise for any inconvenience this will cause." How sarcastic can they get?

The footbridge would appear to be a favourite for trainspotters. While I don't use it for that purpose, I have to admit that it does offer good views of the station and surrounding area.

 

[Lincoln]

Out of interest, does anyone know what, if anything, is encoded on the magnetic strip of the reservation?

Hi Clm, it is essentially encoded in the same manner as a normal ticket. The information will show that the "ticket type" is either a 1st or STD class reservation, along with where it is from and to and the start date. But no validity time.

Tickets themselves will have a bit more information encoded and will show an abbreviated ticket type (some ticket types are lumped in with others), an abbreviated discount status (railcard/child etc.), the time is was printed which is then re-encoded when the ticket goes through a gate with that particular time. Not forgetting if it it permitted to open gates on LUL as well!

Unfortunately theres not a lot of room to play with storage wise on the magstripe, which is why I think it is a shame that ATB sized tickets have been pretty much phased out, as the amount of printed and electronically held information on them was great!

 

[Bletchleyite]

The footbridge would appear to be a favourite for trainspotters. While I don't use it for that purpose, I have to admit that it does offer good views of the station and surrounding area.

From a passenger's point of view does the new underpass offer adequate means of getting between platforms if it is removed?

Neil

 

[ag51ruk]

From a passenger's point of view does the new underpass offer adequate means of getting between platforms if it is removed?

Neil

I think this must be the footbridge from the north end of platform 12 to the car park - apart from trainspotters, I have never seen anyone use it (it's not the quickest exit to the car park unless your train is on platform 12, a bit remote - and not in terribly good condition). There are still two bridges that give access to all platforms, and the subway to all except platform 12. I guess this means they will also close the Horse Landing exit from P12, except when in use by replacement buses, so just two exits to barrier.

 

[Trackman]

They are moving the customer information point at Piccadilly this weekend to the centre. Ticket barrier prep?

 

[thenorthern]

They are moving the customer information point at Piccadilly this weekend to the centre. Ticket barrier prep?

Wouldn't surprise me there has been a revenue block on all Virgin Trains services arriving and departing at Manchester Piccadilly.

 

[Starmill]

Wouldn't surprise me there has been a revenue block on all Virgin Trains services arriving and departing at Manchester Piccadilly.

That isn't happening because barriers are being installed though, these weeks of revenue specials at Manchester Piccadilly have been done rather infrequently for some time.

 

[thenorthern]

That isn't happening because barriers are being installed though, these weeks of revenue specials at Manchester Piccadilly have been done rather infrequently for some time.

Fair point, there has been an increase in revenue blocks at Macclesfield though which I think is down to the barriers they are going to install.