Locked gates in Coolmine this morning

clubcrown

Heres the latest commuting amusement; in order to stop what is, I can only assume, thousands of fare evaders, the legends who run Coolmine station have not only closed the entrance/exit gate, they've tied it to the fence with baling twine, so it can't be opend by anyone at all.

Thus forcing everyone through the turnstiles. Now normally people are running late due to trying to find parking, and the vast vast majority of people have monthly/annual tickets, so they just go through the gate and cross over to the train direct from the car park. In rush hour, practically everyone using the station is going to work/college, and those people have tickets in the first place.

Obviously someone asked about this morning, because a extremely cranky ticket office came on the intercom to remind us that we needed a valid ticket for travel. :rolleyes:

If ever there was a problem that didn't need to be fixed............:D

Red Alert

They could of course buy proper turnstiles like on the London Underground which don't slow you down at all if you're skilled at it.

clubcrown

Red Alert wrote: »

They could of course buy proper turnstiles like on the London Underground which don't slow you down at all if you're skilled at it.

Its not such a big problem, really, its more that they end up annoying people rather than getting any benefit out of it. Its very tight in that ticket office, the turnstiles are right on top of the ticket machines, and you'll have three sets of queues at times.

Plus I just thought it was very irish to have the gate closed off with baling twine

Ham'nd'egger

Just from posts here in the last year or two, there has been cases of people who have used this gate to access the station and have come into issues with tickets etc. While that is of their own making insofar as they didn't purchase tickets etc, it may simply be a case of making it harder to evade fares by closing it off. To be fair, we don't know the extent of the problem but if it was stopping 20+ evaders a day, an action like this would be fruitful.

Also, if there is no card reader at the gate then there is no way of knowing accurately how many people are using their commuter tickets via this platform and thus harder to make a track of commuter patterns.

markpb

Would it not make more sense to put turnstiles at the other platform instead of locking the gate?

markf909

The gate was not closed at approx 8:00am anyway.

They have moved the temporary cabin that was on the platform though so those without tickets must go to the booking office.

clubcrown

markf909 wrote: »

The gate was not closed at approx 8:00am anyway.

They have moved the temporary cabin that was on the platform though so those without tickets must go to the booking office.

Maybe they opened it again, it was the 7.36 train I got this morning.

Its daft; if you get delayed in the car park (happens a lot)you're going to run to the gate so you can catch your train. If you get caught the other side of the level crossing, you're going to miss your train.

Its probably the busiest station on the route, apart from Clonsilla - they should lay it out better. You'd expect it in Broombridge or something, but not is such a heavily trafficed station. One or two obvious changes would make it so much easier to get in and out of.

As for fare evaders - even if its 20 a day, hundreds use that station, I'll bet almost all have annual/monthly tickets anyway., given the profile of the travellers on their way to work.

Instead of thinking about how to sort out the minority of fare evaders they tie the gate shut with rope for every single commuter arriving at the busiest time of the day, and then give out to everyone about it via the intercom. Genius

markf909

clubcrown wrote: »

Maybe they opened it again, it was the 7.36 train I got this morning.

Its daft; if you get delayed in the car park (happens a lot)you're going to run to the gate so you can catch your train. If you get caught the other side of the level crossing, you're going to miss your train.

Its probably the busiest station on the route, apart from Clonsilla - they should lay it out better. You'd expect it in Broombridge or something, but not is such a heavily trafficed station. One or two obvious changes would make it so much easier to get in and out of.

As for fare evaders - even if its 20 a day, hundreds use that station, I'll bet almost all have annual/monthly tickets anyway., given the profile of the travellers on their way to work.

Instead of thinking about how to sort out the minority of fare evaders they tie the gate shut with rope for every single commuter arriving at the busiest time of the day, and then give out to everyone about it via the intercom. Genius

For Irish Rail, the customer come last all of the time. See the letter in the metro today for another example of that.

Back on this topic, I agree Coolmine is a pretty poor station, given that it is the busiest by far. The platforms are extremely narrow and it has a huge catchment area either side of the gates. Most commuters have season tickets so why not put automated barriers on the side without the booking office?

Ham'nd'egger

markpb wrote: »

Would it not make more sense to put turnstiles at the other platform instead of locking the gate?

I would assume that turnstiles would need to be enclosed and sheltered from rain etc unless there is outdoor stiles somewhere.

markpb

Hamndegger wrote: »

I would assume that turnstiles would need to be enclosed and sheltered from rain etc unless there is outdoor stiles somewhere.

Irish Rail and AIB fitted outdoor turnstiles to the Lansdowne Road station so AIB staff can get from the HQ to the station without walking miles around Ballsbridge. I can't remember exactly what type of turnstile is there but if it can be done in Ballbridge, surely it can be done in Coolmine?

clubcrown

Hamndegger wrote: »

I would assume that turnstiles would need to be enclosed and sheltered from rain etc unless there is outdoor stiles somewhere.

I see the cabin has been removed as well on the opposite platform. So now you have to go to the ticket office to buy your ticket, which means you might get caught at the level crossing, and miss your train.

Now unless they're putting in a ticket machin on that side as well, this is a retrograde step - it took ages for them to put the cabin there in the first place. Anyone know if they're putting barriers in over there?

jjbrien

they used to lock the gates there before without a rope on the roselawn side i used to press the buzzer and they used to say you have to have a ticket when i used my season ticket to the camera they released the gate. if they insist on closing the gate again why dont they start doing this again. the staff at coolmine have really angered me over the years to the extent i neally got banned from this board for been angry towords them.

clubcrown

jjbrien wrote: »

they used to lock the gates there before without a rope on the roselawn side i used to press the buzzer and they used to say you have to have a ticket when i used my season ticket to the camera they released the gate. if they insist on closing the gate again why dont they start doing this again. the staff at coolmine have really angered me over the years to the extent i neally got banned from this board for been angry towords them.

The staff there are pretty awful, when they are actually working; no announcements of any kind, rude to customers, one in particular who I think was openly racist to an elderly black lady in front of me in the queue; she was confused as to where the city center was exactly, and he more or less screamed at her to get out of his face and stop annoying him - I ended up helping her myself and reporting him. Of course he still works there, so I assume nothing was done.

This was the same guy who left 5 people waiting in a queue one sunday because he was playing something on a playstation in the office. They missed their train into town as a result, and he told them that they should have turned up earlier.

Ham'nd'egger

clubcrown wrote: »

I see the cabin has been removed as well on the opposite platform. So now you have to go to the ticket office to buy your ticket, which means you might get caught at the level crossing, and miss your train.

Now unless they're putting in a ticket machin on that side as well, this is a retrograde step - it took ages for them to put the cabin there in the first place. Anyone know if they're putting barriers in over there?

I didn't know of the outdoor stiles in other stations, that is a possibility.

As for you getting caught at level crossings, get there earlier in future:)

clubcrown

Hamndegger wrote: »

I didn't know of the outdoor stiles in other stations, that is a possibility.

As for you getting caught at level crossings, get there earlier in future:)

Funny, but those gates often go down for 5-8 mins at a time. So you may well be on time for your train, but the gates might be down for a different train altogether, so you're stuck..................again, a simple thing to fix, so lets hope they do put a machine on that side.

Ham'nd'egger

clubcrown wrote: »

Funny, but those gates often go down for 5-8 mins at a time. So you may well be on time for your train, but the gates might be down for a different train altogether, so you're stuck..................again, a simple thing to fix, so lets hope they do put a machine on that side.

No, you are only on time for your train if you are in the station and on the platform when it arrives. It goes without saying that the more access points the better but until then it is a case of get there earlier.

markf909

Hamndegger wrote: »

No, you are only on time for your train if you are in the station and on the platform when it arrives.

You actually have no idea of how bad the Coolmine gates work do you?

It is quite possible to be 10 mins "early" for a train there and still not get on the platform.

clubcrown

Hamndegger wrote: »

No, you are only on time for your train if you are in the station and on the platform when it arrives. It goes without saying that the more access points the better but until then it is a case of get there earlier.

That makes sense of course - but you don't really expect people to check all incoming and outgoing trains to the station? I look at my time table, see my train is at 14:00, and get there at 13:55. Gates are down due to a train coming the other way, that I had no idea about, and theres no way for me to get to my train without jumping the gate and strolling onto the platform.

All of which means I'm evading a fare. This kind of scenario is why they had a kiosk on that platform in the first place - so people could still buy their ticket on that side of the station - but now they've removed that kiosk altogether.

People are busy, you can't expect them to be in a station 20 mins before a train arrives. And if you've ever driven in north west dublin, you'd know it can be impossible to get there to the station on time anyway

Ham'nd'egger

markf909 wrote: »

You actually have no idea of how bad the Coolmine gates work do you?

It is quite possible to be 10 mins "early" for a train there and still not get on the platform.

I do know how it is, I have been caught waiting for them to open before but in fairness they are no better or worse in terms of time than other crossings in Dublin or indeed in the country. It would be ideal to have a second entrance to the station but unless it can be secure against fare evaders it isn't a runner; ditto for other stations. Somebody did mention an arrangement at Lansdowne Road so assuming this works well, yes it could be done.

Zebra3

I was at Lousia Bridge a couple of weeks ago one Friday evening (bout 7ish) and the station was closed and the gate down to the (city bound) platform was locked.

Luckily I'm not 70 or with a pram.

BostonB

Let face reality here. These stations are pretty unfriendly. Hardly any parking. Poor access, no shop/toilets, almost no weather protection. Its basically a platform and ticket office. Couldn't be more bare unless it was bus stop.

Nostradamus

markf909 wrote: »

For Irish Rail, the customer come last all of the time.

But you are forgetting that IE have the most modern passenger rolling stock in Europe and therefore all other issues/complaints are 100% nullified as a result.

Bit like being shot by a robber with a state-of-the-art firearm. You suffer in style.

Nostradamus

Nostradamus wrote: »

Bit like being shot by a robber with a state-of-the-art firearm. You suffer in style.

and then being buried in a velvet lined coffin with a ministerial plaque on the gravestone.

jjbrien

clubcrown wrote: »

The staff there are pretty awful, when they are actually working; no announcements of any kind, rude to customers, one in particular who I think was openly racist to an elderly black lady in front of me in the queue; she was confused as to where the city center was exactly, and he more or less screamed at her to get out of his face and stop annoying him - I ended up helping her myself and reporting him. Of course he still works there, so I assume nothing was done.

I know exactly who you are talking about!!

They should build a bridge over the tracks if they insist on locking these gates so people from the roselawn side can go across and buy a ticket or atleast put a ticket machine and a turnstlye there as other posters have said.

Has anyone been down at Clonsilla Station recenlty none of this silly noncence happens and the new girl who works there wow shes great!

markf909

Nostradamus wrote: »

Bit like being shot by a robber with a state-of-the-art firearm. You suffer in style.

Best analogy i've heard in a while.

Nostradamus

BostonB wrote: »

Let face reality here. These stations are pretty unfriendly. Hardly any parking. Poor access, no shop/toilets, almost no weather protection. Its basically a platform and ticket office. Couldn't be more bare unless it was bus stop.

That's all you need for a commuter rail station.

BostonB

Its not just commuters who use the train, and even if it was, many people would like to have some basic facilities. No fun standing there on a rainswept platform on a cold winter morning and no cover. Besides if other countries can to have decent "Commuter" stations I don't see why we can't. The idea is to encourage people on to the train, not make it an endurance test.

clubcrown

Nostradamus wrote: »

That's all you need for a commuter rail station.

No it isn't, if you have a level crossing, you need a ticket office for each side of the crossing, exit validation on both sides and some covered areas so people don't get soaked.

And bike racks, especially if there is no car parking. Thats essential. Oh and the electronic notice boards should be switched on. And the clock should be set to the right time and date (in coolmine the date has been 3-4 months and actually a few years out for a long time now).

Ironically Phoenix Park station has all of these things, along with actual seats, a working notice board, etc, but very few people use that station.

Competent staff would be nice too, but I'm living in fantasy land there

MOH

clubcrown wrote: »

No it isn't, if you have a level crossing, you need a ticket office for each side of the crossing, exit validation on both sides and some covered areas so people don't get soaked.

And bike racks, especially if there is no car parking. Thats essential. Oh and the electronic notice boards should be switched on. And the clock should be set to the right time and date (in coolmine the date has been 3-4 months and actually a few years out for a long time now).

Ironically Phoenix Park station has all of these things, along with actual seats, a working notice board, etc, but very few people use that station.

Competent staff would be nice too, but I'm living in fantasy land there

Well, no, if you were really living in fantasy land you'd have included trains that run on time.

clubcrown

MOH wrote: »

Well, no, if you were really living in fantasy land you'd have included trains that run on time.

To be honest, I think the maynooth line service is actually pretty good, as a whole. Certainly compared to some of the horror stories you hear about from other lines. there generally aren't too many delays, and most of the ones that do happen are because of level crossings as far as I can see.

Its just the stations, staff and lack of carraiges that are a problem, the timetable isn't too bad

BostonB

I'd probably agree with most of that. Though I think the frequency could be increased outside peak hours.

Rawr

Coolmine used to annoy the hell out of me too from time-to-time.

In my last job I used to commute and from Leixlip to Coolmine and then use a crazy folding bike I carried with me, to cycle to North Blanch from there.

I'd always have a monthy ticket, so getting to the ticket office wasn't really an issue. But getting on and off the City-Bound platform was. I remember one time when I was arriving in Coolmine on my way to work with the folding bike. I was doing a late shift, so I was there at about midday.

I go to the exit gate and find it surprisingly locked. It was usually open around that time of day. I look up at the security camera to see if the ticket guy would cop on that someone is trying the get *out* (I would of just jumped over, but the bike made that difficult.)

So after a while I head down to the bridge, carry the bike up and down the steps and then, in plain view of two ticket lads at the office, try to get out via the carpark gate. (Couldn't use turnstyle with bike in hand)

But no, locked as well.

In disbelief I then start heading towards the ticket office to get out and it is only when I am half way there do I hear the gate click open. I would have gone nuts at those lads if I wasn't already late and had pointlessly waisted minutes trekking around the station.

If only a European-Style 'honors system' was used, these gates wouldn't be nessisary. Alas, we all know how much that would be abused.

jjbrien

Rawr wrote: »

If only a European-Style 'honors system' was used, these gates wouldn't be nessisary. Alas, we all know how much that would be abused.

Works fine on the luas

Rawr

Oh yea.

Then it should be used on the suburban rail network too. Especially with awkward stations like Coolmine.

If IE are really concerned about fare evasion, then it might be an idea to get more ticket inspectors/sellers on board trains. They've already got Rail Security riding some evening trains.

clubcrown

Well, they've done it again - the gate was tied shut this morning, again with the rope tied to the turnstile so you can use neither gate nor turnstiles.

I passed through the ticket office as someone was asking about it and the guy behind the glass told them to "go through the turnstiles like every other f*cking person".

Problem was that the guy who asked about it was trying to get out of the station, not in.............that ticket checker is a complete tool