What is it that automatic barriers don't know ?

[Ediswan]

Simple situation, Mon-Fri off peak day returns from Stevenage to Enfield Chase. Outbound off peak, return FCC evening peak.

National Rail journey planner says that ticket is valid to return during the FCC evening peak. Gateline staff have accepted every one. My reading of the rather complicated FCC evening peak restriction document is that they are valid http://www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk/tickets-and-fares/off-peak-tickets/travel-off-peak/ticket-restrictions/

Every time, the barrier at Stevenage rejects the return ticket. So what does the barrier not know ?

This is not a complaint, just curious.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Perhaps it not something the barrier doesn't know as such, I'm sure they can be programmed to reject certain ticket types, which may be the case here.

 

[Crossover]

They're ticket barriers so usually reject stuff they should allow and sometimes accept stuff that they shouldn't

 

[yorkie]

So what does the barrier not know ?.

Everything. (Apart from whether the ticket is in date, the ticket type, the origin and destination, any Railcard discounts, and that's about it!)

There is a certain amount of programming that can go into barriers (some a lot more than others) but they are limited by the fact that very little information is in the magnetic strip, and you can't program every possible ticket combination into them (not to mention the validities change, and keeping it all up to date).

It's completely different to the technology behind Oyster, for example.

 

[elagueesti]

Does anyone know what a GA only London Liverpool Street to Cambridge will *always* be rejected by the Cambridge barriers? Oddly enough, on the return Cambridge to Liv St section, it doesn't retain the ticket but gives it back again after opening the barriers.

 

[Ediswan]

but they are limited by the fact that very little information is in the magnetic strip

Does the strip contain the restriction code ? I believe that is Y4, c/o brfares.com. The printed validity is 'SEE RESTRICTNS'.

There is no big saving with this off-peak return. £12:50 compared to £12:60 for an open return. But I will keep my 10p if it is legitimate.

 

[rebmcr]

My time spent being unable to whoosh through the barrier would be worth more to me than 10p.

 

[Prairie_5542]

Does the strip contain the restriction code ? I believe that is Y4, c/o brfares.com. The printed validity is 'SEE RESTRICTNS'.

There is no big saving with this off-peak return. £12:50 compared to £12:60 for an open return. But I will keep my 10p if it is legitimate.

On my system it is shown as: £12.50 Off Peak Day Return Via Hereford. £12.60 Anytime Day Return via Hereford. Restriction code Y4.

 

[NSE]

I'm assuming you mean Hertford. That IS good value to go via Hereford

 

[D6975]

If you fancy a touch of Russian Roulette, try sticking a rover ticket in an automatic barrier...

 

[Buttsy]

If you fancy a touch of Russian Roulette, try sticking a rover ticket in an automatic barrier...

And then get into a discussion with South Eastern barrier staff at St Pancras International as to why your All Line Rover IS valid on their High Speed services when they insist you buy a new ticket...

 

[ATW Alex 101]

I read in a thread on here a few months ago that the barriers at London Victoria reject advances for the staff to make sure that the customer has used the right train

 

[DXMachina]

Barriers at St.Albans city will reject valid any-route tickets from Watford Junction to Bedford if the (valid - and checked several times) route via St.Albans Abbey walking across to City is used - every time.

Fortunately the staff there know this and will open the gate without question when the issue arises.

 

[NSE]

I had a Hatfield (Herts)- Tottenham Hale ticket (Route Victoria Line North) (Of which I assume this means I can't go Kings Cross-Liv Street and back up) rejected at Finsbury Park. Gateline let me through though.