Automatic ticket checking in Heuston

Mark Gleeson · 21-04-2009, 16:00

Myth busters tested credit cards which use a different grade of ferrous iron in the stripes, train tickets use a lower grade since it must be modified every time it is read

I've only had one dodgy ticket in years, but I've had a heap of trouble with simple return tickets with the new gates

Thomas Ralph · 21-04-2009, 18:13

Even then, smart cards and other mag stripe cards can't affect tickets. Earphones, mobiles, etc. might be a problem, I suppose.

Thomas Ralph · 21-04-2009, 18:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

I've only had one dodgy ticket in years, but I've had a heap of trouble with simple return tickets with the new gates

So have I, but it's had to do with software problems. The gates read the stripe fine, they just don't process it properly.

A return ticket from, say, Drogheda to Limerick will not let you out at Heuston on the way back. It will say "no journeys left".

RadarControl · 22-04-2009, 11:04

The machines were turned off on Platform 6,7 and 8 last night when I was going through at 6:30pm.

Alot of people in Heuston getting very frustrated with the system this morning. It was rejecting most people's tickets and causing large queues to form. IR staff are not very helpful either. The only ones that appear to be working are the annual tickets. Talking to a couple of fellow passengers in the queue this morning and like me they all have monthly tickets with the add on to the City Centre. Since the machines have gone live their tickets have been rejected.

Just wondering is the software not able to handle monthly tickets which have the add-on to the city centre? I would find that hard to believe since I know a few people with annual tickets with the add-on who are getting through no problem.

Thomas Ralph · 22-04-2009, 14:12

People should check the error that the gate displays on the LCD panel of the ticket gate. Common errors include "Wrong way up" and "ticket failed" which just mean that the magnetic stripe on that particular ticket is illegible. "No valid route" or "destination exceeded", on the other hand, means that there's a logic error with the gates and/or the ticket.

We have another thread where people can post issues with the ticket gates (at Heuston or anywhere); if there is a series of issues we will aggregate it and send on to IÉ.

Mark Gleeson · 22-04-2009, 14:17

Fairly clear someone has forgotten to program

If exiting & destination = 299 -> open

iridium · 24-04-2009, 16:40

I have a monthly ticket, without the City Centre add-on, and it's been fine for me so far.

What I found weird was that on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings I arrived at Heuston on platform 2. There must have been 15 to 20 gates available for exit, and 90% on the people on my train queued up for the first two gates, leaving all the other ones empty! They seemed to have copped on by yesterday though.

Colm Moore · 24-04-2009, 18:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by iridium

What I found weird was that on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings I arrived at Heuston on platform 2. There must have been 15 to 20 gates available for exit, and 90% on the people on my train queued up for the first two gates, leaving all the other ones empty! They seemed to have copped on by yesterday though.

Same thing happens with the Sligo train in Connolly when it arrives in platform 2. Its unfortunate that the gate line is so near the doors to the platform at in Connolly. A curve would have been better than a straight line, so as to encourage people to fan out.

21-04-2009, 16:00	#1
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	Myth busters tested credit cards which use a different grade of ferrous iron in the stripes, train tickets use a lower grade since it must be modified every time it is read I've only had one dodgy ticket in years, but I've had a heap of trouble with simple return tickets with the new gates __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know

22-04-2009, 14:12	#5
Thomas Ralph IT Officer Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Greenwich, London Posts: 1,860	People should check the error that the gate displays on the LCD panel of the ticket gate. Common errors include "Wrong way up" and "ticket failed" which just mean that the magnetic stripe on that particular ticket is illegible. "No valid route" or "destination exceeded", on the other hand, means that there's a logic error with the gates and/or the ticket. We have another thread where people can post issues with the ticket gates (at Heuston or anywhere); if there is a series of issues we will aggregate it and send on to IÉ. Last edited by Thomas Ralph : 22-04-2009 at 14:21. Reason: "destination exceeded"

22-04-2009, 14:17	#6
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	Fairly clear someone has forgotten to program If exiting & destination = 299 -> open __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know

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21-04-2009, 18:13	#2
Thomas Ralph IT Officer Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Greenwich, London Posts: 1,860	Even then, smart cards and other mag stripe cards can't affect tickets. Earphones, mobiles, etc. might be a problem, I suppose.

22-04-2009, 11:04	#4
RadarControl Regular Poster Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kildare Posts: 55	The machines were turned off on Platform 6,7 and 8 last night when I was going through at 6:30pm. Alot of people in Heuston getting very frustrated with the system this morning. It was rejecting most people's tickets and causing large queues to form. IR staff are not very helpful either. The only ones that appear to be working are the annual tickets. Talking to a couple of fellow passengers in the queue this morning and like me they all have monthly tickets with the add on to the City Centre. Since the machines have gone live their tickets have been rejected. Just wondering is the software not able to handle monthly tickets which have the add-on to the city centre? I would find that hard to believe since I know a few people with annual tickets with the add-on who are getting through no problem.

24-04-2009, 16:40	#7
iridium New to the board Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 19	I have a monthly ticket, without the City Centre add-on, and it's been fine for me so far. What I found weird was that on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings I arrived at Heuston on platform 2. There must have been 15 to 20 gates available for exit, and 90% on the people on my train queued up for the first two gates, leaving all the other ones empty! They seemed to have copped on by yesterday though.