Exit validation at Pearse

[MOH]

Got off at Pearse last night (northbound), from the second carriage so I'd be beside the exit.
All the turnstiles were showing a red X.

There were a few people on the far side who seemed to be having difficulty getting in. no IE staff in sight.

Walked back to the other set of exits, as I went through I told the guy in the booth that none of the other set were working. He gave me a bit of a disdainful look and said "Yeah, they're all set to entry only" as if I should know this.

Is there some new policy in place whereby the set nearest the front of the train are entry only? Has this been communicated in any way?

(Never mind the fact that they didn't seem to be working for entry either, but the guy I was talking to didn't seem to care much, and I was in too much rush to find someone else to talk to).

[Mark Gleeson]

Off peak the gates at the stairs are set to entry only

It forces everyone over to the main gates where a profitable little operation ensues in the collection of fares and issuing of fines

[MOH]

Off peak the gates at the stairs are set to entry only

It forces everyone over to the main gates where a profitable little operation ensues in the collection of fares and issuing of fines

Ah, thanks.

Presume this was never announced in any way, people are just supposed to know?

Being foolish, I thought maybe it was the opposite: that at peak times each set were set to entry or exit to make things easier for passengers and avoid streams of people meeting head on.

Stupid me.

[Mark Gleeson]

I've just noticed it by traveling through at weekends. It finally looks like a bit of sense to ensure fares are collected.

The sheer number of people trying to tailcoat through the gates is incredible

[Thomas Ralph]

The sheer number of people trying to tailcoat through the gates is incredible

Indeed. There was an IÉ guy standing at the top of the stairs there this morning keeping people honest.

I have stopped people tailgating behind me on several occasions. A loud "can you use your own ticket please?" does wonders.

[MOH]

Indeed. There was an IÉ guy standing at the top of the stairs there this morning keeping people honest.

I have stopped people tailgating behind me on several occasions. A loud "can you use your own ticket please?" does wonders.

I've tailgated people, and I've an annual pass. I get sick of letting gate close, inserting ticket, walking forward, and having to stop until the gate decides to open. It's only a second or two, but at peak times everyone moves faster if people tailgate. If they don't want that, they should install some decent exit validation that works properly (and doesn't occasionally ruin tickets).

Closing one whole set of exits without telling anyone is a typical Irish Rail solution.

[Mark Gleeson]

After much research and trial and error, the following is the best approach

As soon as the person ahead has removed their ticket, insert yours. If you do that the gate will remain fully open and you can move at a reasonable pace

If the gate is closed there is a time lag and that looks like a software tweak could make an improvement, but there will always be a delay of sorts

Dublin commuters still lack the almost military discipline you see in London which gets the incredible flows of people through quite tight spaces

Smartcards will probably significantly improve maters. Arrival of smartcards is imminent. Details are in the members area of a chance to try them out possibly this year

[Thomas Ralph]

If you stand right up next to the gate it will not open. This is to prevent (or call attention to) two people going through on one ticket with the person behind inserting the ticket.

Mark's solution is the best one.

[drumcondra commuter]

...
Dublin commuters still lack the almost military discipline you see in London ...

Must be that imperial blood coursing so blue through their veins. I don't want to be in an army.

[MOH]

If you stand right up next to the gate it will not open. This is to prevent (or call attention to) two people going through on one ticket with the person behind inserting the ticket.

Mark's solution is the best one.

I'm talking about person in front goes through, gate closes, insert ticket, start walking forward as you remove ticket expecting gate to open immediately, gate remains closed forcing you to stop momentarily, gate then opens. Rinse and repeat. Or sometimes the next person has inserted their ticket while you're still waiting for the gate to open, causing more confusion.

London works because the gates work as people expect them to - properly.