Barriers at Truro Train Station Proving Unpopular

Just a few short months after their installation, the new security barriers at Truro train station are proving to be (mostly) unpopular. 

‘Fare Dodgers’

An initiative targeted at cutting the volume of ‘fare dodging’, the new barriers prevent people from accessing platforms if not in possession of a valid ticket.  The goal being to prevent people from boarding a train without having paid their way. 

MP Intervenes

As quoted on the Falmouth Packet, Truro and Falmouth MP, Sarah Newton contacted First Great Western having received complaints from family members who were not allowed access to wave goodbye to their loved ones form the platform.  She encouraged rail users to be patient during ‘teething problems’.

Comments on this article seemed to oppose the use of the barriers, (with some people going so far as to suggesting people push through them if necessary!).  Although such ‘forceful’ measures have not been abdicated by Truropeople’s Twitter friends, outright support is thin on the ground.

“Reform needed”

There are some, such as Josiah Mortimer (@marchthefury) who believes that the whole public transport system needs drastic reform.

marchthefury Josiah Mortimer - @truropeople people shouldn't need to dodge fairs in 1st place! Green transport should be public - democratically controlled and owned.

marchthefury Josiah Mortimer - @truropeople for young people increased fares are unnaffordable. Quality won't improve - trains will remain cramped, late and sub-standard.

Silver Lining

None of our 550+ followers offered outright, flag waving support for Truro’s ticket barriers, but one did offer a nice silver lining...

Tom_Nicholas - @truropeople It does save time on the train cause you don't have to wait for the police at St Austell to arrest the people without tickets!

Middle Ground

Offering a national context, @Clementshawes reminds us that this may just all be part of what it is to use modern rail transport in the UK.

clementshawes Simon Clements-Hawes - @truropeople having gone over the water a few times to the modern world, they're just the same as everywhere else. Bit packed at rush hour!

clementshawes Simon Clements-Hawes - @truropeople yeah, the typical 1-2 counters and the slow-as ticket machine. I buy season passes but appreciate it could go very wrong!

Have your say.

Have you been through the new train station barrier?  What were your thoughts?  Slow, poorly staffed and ideologically unsound? OR a necessary evil to prevent dishonesty and keep fairs stable for the rest of us?

(Photo courtest of tompagenet's Flickr photostream)