Trapped in train ticket barriers

zaksmum

I was exiting a station today going through the ticket barriers after placing my pass on the relevant area when they suddenly slammed shut as I was halfway through, trapping me there. I couldn't move forward or backward and three male staff rushed to try to force the barriers open with their hands to free me.

When they got me out one said that it had happened because the walking stick I use had "broken the beam" whatever that means. He then said that as I have walking difficulties I should've gone through the disabled exit which I hadn't noticed. I hardly ever use trains.

My arm and elbow are badly bruised and swollen where the barrier slammed forcefully on me, but the staff seemed to think it was my own fault. Was it? Or should I contact the rail company?

thefishdude

in my opinion deff contact the rail company i know i would. in no way is it your fault.

zaksmum

Thanks fishdude. They made me feel like an idiot for having the cheek to use a walking stick! I will contact the rail company in the morning.

thefishdude

just cause someone uses a walking stick dont mean they disabled, therefore are they saying that anyone that does use a walking stick has to use disabled acccess? basically if the are then they are saying all old people are disabled.

Owain_Moneysaver

the barriers have invisible light beams to stop two people going through the gate on one ticket.

You should certainly complain to the train operating company that manages the station.

Kilty_2

I never had this trouble when using a walking stick for a few months and certainly wouldn't have used the disabled barriers - doesn't sound right to me.

Keith

Depends where you point the stick, I've caught the rear wheel on my bike when I get fed up of them dealing with ticket problems on the wider gate.

Stigy

thefishdude wrote: »

just cause someone uses a walking stick dont mean they disabled, therefore are they saying that anyone that does use a walking stick has to use disabled acccess? basically if the are then they are saying all old people are disabled.

What does it mean then? Maybe not long term disabled, but by the very definition of the word, if you're using a stick to aid your walking, it makes you "less able".

The wide aisle gate is there for this sort of thing. I see this all the time, and do wish common sense would prevail sometimes. Although if the walking stick remains next you you, or is lifted up, you'll be okay to pass through without problems, if you swing the stick in front of you (as I'm assuming comes naturally when using one!) the barriers will assume the passenger has passed through and thus close. Barriers aren't magical and only use a certain amount of intelligence.

I would suggest calling the train company anyway, and explain what happened. You might get a goodwill gesture such as a bunch of flowers or a free train journey.

zaksmum

Thanks everyone. Owain, that's what the man must have meant when he said my stick had broken the beam. He actually ushered me through that barrier although it was obvious I use a stick, and I hardly ever use trains so didn't know any better.

I did actually put the stick forwards as that's how you walk with one but certainly didn't expect the barrier to suddenly slam shut with such force!

I've got a massive bruise on my elbow this morning...I have a friend with osteoporosis and if this had happened to her she would definitely have fractures.

Just off to call the rail company!

victor2

zaksmum wrote: »

Thanks everyone. Owain, that's what the man must have meant when he said my stick had broken the beam. He actually ushered me through that barrier although it was obvious I use a stick, and I hardly ever use trains so didn't know any better.

I did actually put the stick forwards as that's how you walk with one but certainly didn't expect the barrier to suddenly slam shut with such force!

I've got a massive bruise on my elbow this morning...I have a friend with osteoporosis and if this had happened to her she would definitely have fractures.

Just off to call the rail company!

If a member of staff indicated for you to use the gate, he either should have known better, told you to lift your stick over if possible, or it was a freak occurrence with the mechanism.
Well worth contacting them if only to help prevent it happening to somebody else with worse consequences.
At least staff rushed to help you when you were caught, but they should also have made it clear that they would investigate what went wrong.
Hope you get a positive response, don't be fobbed off!

thegirlintheattic

I sounds like you were very close to the person in front, the gates detected your stick passing through the beam whilst the gate was still open for the other person and as such closed. It often happens to people without sticks when they pass too quickly behind the person in front.

In future OP, make sure the gates fully close before swiping your pass.

Write a letter to the company and you may get a complementary ticket or something, but at the station they are likely to just point out that there is nothing they could have done.