Platform Tickets - Can you still get them ?

L_J_Silver

Just wondering if they are still available as I may need one at Leeds station in the near future. Also anyone know the cost if you can still get them ?

LittleVoice

Johnny_L. wrote: »

Just wondering if they are still available as I may need one at Leeds station in the near future. Also anyone know the cost if you can still get them ?

Why might you need a platform ticket? Would it be to help a passenger onto a train or off?

LexyBoy

You should be able to buy them from the ticket office. They cost 20p at Leeds (they should only be 10p but for some reason Leeds charges more). They won't work the barriers so you'll have to show them to staff.

If you are unsuccessful, you may be allowed through by gateline staff if you explain why you wish to enter. I've never had an issue just asking, but a platform ticket is wise at larger stations where you may not meet the same person on leaving.

yangptangkipperbang

This is a strange area.

The Department for Transport rules say that non-travellers must be allowed access to the platforms - but the station operator is allowed to charge for this if he wishes. However if the meeter/greeter or traveller is disabled no charge should be made.

Having said that, I once tried to buy a platform ticket after being refused entry to the platforms for not having a ticket and was told by a grumpy man in the ticket office that he had been told NOT to sell them. This was on an SWT station. I got the duty manager out - and was allowed onto the platform - free !
At my local (FGW) station I asked if I could by a platform ticket - the lady thought I was bonkers as it was an open station ! I did explain that I just wanted to know if she was allowed/able sell one - she confirmed that she could.

The honest answer to your question is: it depends

L_J_Silver

Thanks for your replies.

I will be meeting someone who will have a fair amount of
luggage and was wondering if I would be able to meet them
as they get off the train, hence my query about platform tickets.

Tish_P

Asking the ticket barrier staff politely has always worked for me - they've either lent me a platform pass free, or just let me through.

Buzby

At Glasgow Queen Street, access to ATM's is only via the platform barriers - so Scotrail makes 20p for a Network Rail decision.

yangptangkipperbang

Buzby wrote: »

At Glasgow Queen Street, access to ATM's is only via the platform barriers - so Scotrail makes 20p for a Network Rail decision.

That may not be unreasonable, Scotrail may have incurred costs in having the ATMs installed - they are for rail travellers after all

Buzby

I disagree - ATM's were installed in stations as a primary location for anyone to get their money. The difference at Glasgow Queen Street is he ATM's are in the same place (since 1980), what changed was Network Rail's desire to remove a ticket barrier per 2 platforms, and wall off the ATM's so that all platforms would use one cluster of barriers.

Waaay off topic, I know - but Platform Tickets are quite popular here!