Automatic ticket checking in Heuston

Mark · 19-05-2009, 11:48

In addition to what Mark Gleeson said about the benefits of Smart Cards, the amount of travel pattern info that can be taken from Smart Card use is incredible. The RPA have stated that they intend on full smart card use in the coming years as it is cheaper than producing dosposible tickets. Less mechanical wear and tear on the TVMs, quicker boarding, quicker inspection etc. So much more info can be stored on them.

Lets not forget though, Smart Card tickets doesnt mean integrated ticketing.

Thomas Ralph · 19-05-2009, 14:01

Veolia has got in quite a lot of hot water with the Data Protection Commissioner over processing smartcard data.

Mark · 20-05-2009, 14:36

In one of the nordic countries I remember reading that the transport provider/authority has been banned from using smart card data for tracking peoples journey patterns. Privacy and all that.

Mark · 20-05-2009, 15:57

why IS Heuston actually getting ticket barriers? I can understand if it were for the suburban services or possibly the regional trains to Carlow, Portlaoise and Athlone but dont all intercity trains have ticket inspectors on them?

On the continent for example it is quite normal to have access to the intercity platforms to welcome and see off friends and family or even to board departing trains with the intention of buying a ticket on board.

Should IE be treating Intercity customers like commuters?

PLUMB LOCO · 20-05-2009, 20:57

For anyone of my age (50) these ticket validation measures are just the latest in a long line of expensive, poorly thought out ways of trying to replace staff at stations. I have lost count of the enormous numbers of different ticket barriers tried out in the Dublin area over the last four decades. Possibly the worst aspect of this latest attempt is the way that the most ignorant, badly motivated staff seem to have been placed at the barriers to 'help' passengers who experience difficulties.

iridium · 21-05-2009, 22:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark

why IS Heuston actually getting ticket barriers? I can understand if it were for the suburban services or possibly the regional trains to Carlow, Portlaoise and Athlone but dont all intercity trains have ticket inspectors on them?

Every time I've been on the 06:35 Limerick to Dublin in the last couple of weeks, some fecking ticket inspector has deliberately woke me up (it's way too early to be awake like), and asked to see my ticket, but only once we had passed Newbridge - the final stop before Heuston, where I'd have to be showing my ticket at the barriers anyway. Why not ask earlier in the journey for people who might be getting out in places like Portlaoise or Kildare, where there are no validation gates? Or failing that, just let me sleep!

Where's the logic?

hoopsheff · 22-05-2009, 11:17

Has anybody else noticed that trains no longer get a platform number on the display board in Heuston until they are there and ready to board (usually about 2 mins before departure time) ?

Yesterday a lot of people saw the 18:35 train to Thurles coming into platform 2 and went to board it (at 18:30)...and were promptly chased down platform 2 by IR staff and removed from the Train (as it was not ready for boarding apparently!)....only to be allowed back on the train 2 mins later.

One question I would ask is why the train did not arrive at the platform ready for boarding? It wasnt an incoming train full of passengers!

iridium · 25-05-2009, 19:09

Yep, was waiting on that train too. They called the platform number at 18:36, there was a mad scramble by everyone and it departed at 18:39.

Much the same thing happened with today's 18:05 to Portlaoise. Except it was more like 18:10 when the empty train even arrived in the platform with the majority of people still on the concourse. Once again, mad scramble, departure 3-4 mins later.

If the train is coming in empty - i.e. is not a scheduled service that needs to be turned around first and therefore may be prone to delays on the way to Dublin - why can't they actually have the train sitting on the platform and ready to board before the advertised departure time? Instead they leave everybody guessing what's going on.

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19-05-2009, 11:48	#1
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Northern line Posts: 1,311	In addition to what Mark Gleeson said about the benefits of Smart Cards, the amount of travel pattern info that can be taken from Smart Card use is incredible. The RPA have stated that they intend on full smart card use in the coming years as it is cheaper than producing dosposible tickets. Less mechanical wear and tear on the TVMs, quicker boarding, quicker inspection etc. So much more info can be stored on them. Lets not forget though, Smart Card tickets doesnt mean integrated ticketing.

19-05-2009, 14:01	#2
Thomas Ralph IT Officer Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Greenwich, London Posts: 1,860	Veolia has got in quite a lot of hot water with the Data Protection Commissioner over processing smartcard data.

20-05-2009, 14:36	#3
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Northern line Posts: 1,311	In one of the nordic countries I remember reading that the transport provider/authority has been banned from using smart card data for tracking peoples journey patterns. Privacy and all that.

20-05-2009, 15:57	#4
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Northern line Posts: 1,311	why IS Heuston actually getting ticket barriers? I can understand if it were for the suburban services or possibly the regional trains to Carlow, Portlaoise and Athlone but dont all intercity trains have ticket inspectors on them? On the continent for example it is quite normal to have access to the intercity platforms to welcome and see off friends and family or even to board departing trains with the intention of buying a ticket on board. Should IE be treating Intercity customers like commuters?

20-05-2009, 20:57	#5
PLUMB LOCO Regular Poster Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 146	For anyone of my age (50) these ticket validation measures are just the latest in a long line of expensive, poorly thought out ways of trying to replace staff at stations. I have lost count of the enormous numbers of different ticket barriers tried out in the Dublin area over the last four decades. Possibly the worst aspect of this latest attempt is the way that the most ignorant, badly motivated staff seem to have been placed at the barriers to 'help' passengers who experience difficulties.

22-05-2009, 11:17	#7
hoopsheff Regular Poster Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 90	Has anybody else noticed that trains no longer get a platform number on the display board in Heuston until they are there and ready to board (usually about 2 mins before departure time) ? Yesterday a lot of people saw the 18:35 train to Thurles coming into platform 2 and went to board it (at 18:30)...and were promptly chased down platform 2 by IR staff and removed from the Train (as it was not ready for boarding apparently!)....only to be allowed back on the train 2 mins later. One question I would ask is why the train did not arrive at the platform ready for boarding? It wasnt an incoming train full of passengers!

25-05-2009, 19:09	#8
iridium New to the board Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 19	Yep, was waiting on that train too. They called the platform number at 18:36, there was a mad scramble by everyone and it departed at 18:39. Much the same thing happened with today's 18:05 to Portlaoise. Except it was more like 18:10 when the empty train even arrived in the platform with the majority of people still on the concourse. Once again, mad scramble, departure 3-4 mins later. If the train is coming in empty - i.e. is not a scheduled service that needs to be turned around first and therefore may be prone to delays on the way to Dublin - why can't they actually have the train sitting on the platform and ready to board before the advertised departure time? Instead they leave everybody guessing what's going on.