Reaction to the new ticket gates at Rochdale Train Station

Ticket gates at Rochdale Train Station

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In a bid to push forward the modernisation of train stations in Greater Manchester, ticket gates at Rochdale Train Station have recently been installed.

For passengers, this means they now have access to ticket machines downstairs as well as the ticket office upstairs for more complicated and longer journeys.

The response from passengers has been varied.

Anthony Gallagher who regularly travels from Rochdale to Manchester Victoria said the new ticket gates are just ‘a bit of a nuisance’.

He said: ‘’They are annoying when you are in a rush and its peak time, but I suppose it makes people pay and therefore reduces people cheating fares. It is better to have them because they are more efficient and hopefully it helps pay for a better quality service, but when it is busy the area is already cramped and it makes your journey that little bit more stressful’’.

Jessy Horwell, a new worker on the ticket gates, said "they are just not well organised".

She added: "The gates are still undecided on as they are on trial for a few months, but they do not make much sense to me. We still have to let people pass through without a ticket who say they only have cash and therefore have to buy tickets upstairs, but then they are just free to ride the trains and no one is there to stop them. It is not fair on the people who do regularly buy them. I just do not understand the point.’’

Workers at Rochdale station also highlighted passengers becoming abusive after the installation of the ticket gates, with passengers saying the staff are ‘treating them like criminals’.

Staff members at the station said this is simply because passengers do not want to pay for tickets because they no longer consider it breaking the law - they are too used to getting away with it.

One staff member said: "It is not right, it is the law and it needs more awareness. It is a criminal offence and you can not do it. This station is a crime hotspot with drug dealing happening every day. It would be safer for some people to travel an hour to work at Piccadilly station than to work here’’.

Richard Greenwood, chairman of STORM, said: “The installation of ticket gates at Rochdale station has generated considerable interest. Unfortunately, some of those who are against them have been using somewhat intemperate language on the internet. Regrettably this seems to be more or less standard in today's world. This sort of language is not in any way condoned by STORM.

"STORM's position is to give the ticket gates a chance to 'bed in' and see how passengers adapt to them before expressing a firm opinion.

“There are bound to be some downsides but on the other hand reducing the opportunities for passengers to get away without paying must be a plus.

"In particular all the staff at Rochdale station do an excellent job and are not there to be verbally abused.”