Barriers at station set to stop people dodging rail fares
TICKET barriers installed at Derby Railway Station to clamp down on fare dodgers will go into operation within weeks.
East Midlands Trains, which runs the station, has put up gates in the main building and on the footbridge which links it with Pride Park.
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site visit: From left, contractors Michelle Craven, Wendy Robertson, Jim Connell and Andy Pollard view developments at Etches Park. See panel below.
The firm hopes the gates will prevent those who have not bought a ticket going on to platforms and getting on a train.
The Derby-based operator's managing director, Tim Shoveller, revealed yesterday that they will be turned on from August 17.
As well as at Derby, the company is installing the ticket barriers at stations in Sheffield and Nottingham. Automatic ticket gates at St Pancras are already being used.
Mr Shoveller said the recent increase in ticket sales at the London station highlighted just how much revenue the company had been losing because of fare dodgers.
He said: "The increase in sales at the St Pancras ticket office since the gates came into operation has revealed that the level of fare evasion was greater than we'd first thought.
"As well as normal tickets, the number of season tickets sold has also risen, which shows the gates are working."
Mr Shoveller said sales had gone up by a "double digit percentage".
According to national figures, fare dodging costs the industry about £200m a year.
Mr Shoveller said he was confident the gates would help reduce the number of passengers travelling from Derby without paying.
Some businesses on Pride Park raised fears that they would be prevented from using the station's bridge as a thoroughfare.
But Mr Shoveller said East Midlands Trains had devised "residents' passes" for people not catching a train, which would allow them to swipe through the gates.
It is not yet known how many will be made available.
Mr Shoveller said: "People will have to register before being issued with a pass and we have devised a system to deter people who attempt to use their pass and then get on a train.
"Our computer system can detect when they have not swiped through on the other side.
"If this happens then their pass is revoked."
Mr Shoveller was speaking to delegates from across the East Midlands at a Transport iNet event, which took place at the firm's staff training academy in Hudson Way, Pride Park.
He said the ticket barriers were one of a number of innovations the company was introducing to maintain revenue levels during the recession.
But those revenues are likely to be hit following a decision by train drivers' union Aslef to strike for six days in a dispute over pay.
As reported in the Derby Telegraph yesterday, the union has rejected an offer which would have seen drivers receive a salary increase of 3%.
Strikes are now due to take place on Friday; next Monday; Friday, July 31; Monday, August 3; Friday, August 7; and Monday, August 10.
Mr Shoveller said: "This industry is facing a lot of challenges because of the recession – yet in this difficult environment, the union has decided to strike."
East Midlands Trains has pledged to continue to run trains for passengers despite the industrial action.
9 Comments
by Keith Wheeldon, Ashbourne
Tuesday, March 23 2010, 9:37AM
“Sir, I am frequently in Derby and have cause to use the platform bridge quite often but infrequently. I also see people off at the train, as a matter of courtesy, though not on a regular basis.
Do I qualify for a pass in these circumstances ! ie. I would not have cause to pass through the other barrier ! I would not have a specific destination in 'Pride Park', reasons would be random.”
by Mike, Derby
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 2:55PM
“Does this mean that they will make it a top priority to keep the ticket machines and arrival/departure boards at the Pride Park end working?
What about meeting elderly or disabled passengers from a train, or helping them to the platform?”
by Tom Fulep, Sinfin
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 12:18PM
“Hasn't the world progressed. Typing lessons for five year olds.”
by Richard, Derby
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 12:03PM
“this figure for lost revenue from london should be taken from how many people by the tickets on the train rather than how many more suddenly buy tickets, the overpriced busses and other conditions could be adding to the numbers.
also i use the station as a throughfare to get to the Derby climbing centre, it is unlikely i will be given a pass but i am thinking with the new college building coming up it is going to be a nightmare with all the students wanting to go through or to use the shops, surely a 2nd footbridge or part of the current one can be segregated off so people can still cross it.
also as a thought how do cyclists go about using these barriers?”
by mermaidman, london to leicester
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 11:35AM
“the strike is about conditions nt money. drivers will accept 0% rise if conditions were dropped!!!”
by accyman, Duffield
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 10:34AM
“Will East Midland Trains allow peopleto buy platform tickets to meet, or see off friends and relatives when the platform barrier system becomes operational?”
by ian, derby
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 10:31AM
“Richard, I suggest you join your 5 year old at school for either spelling or typing lessons!
Will more ticket windows and machines also be made available to cut down on the time it takes to buy a ticket at peak times?”
by J Williamson, Duffield
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 10:31AM
“aaaaaaaaaa”
by Richard, Derby
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 10:25AM
“i see the train sporter not alowed though the barrers so i now have 5 yer old boy who is upset and can not go and see the trains now lets sort out the pass for us asap to let us though”