A big change is coming to London Waterloo train station as a new ticket gate system will be introduced at all platforms from December 2008.

 

Network Rail in cooperation with South West Trains is installing the new machines to help ensure customers travel with a valid ticket. The new gate line will be the longest in Europe with 148 ticket gates.

 

The new gates have already been trialled at many stations across the network where they have proved to be a success. The introduction of automatic ticket gates will be installed at more stations including Winchester, Salisbury and Haslemere.

 

While speaking to e.motion magazine South West Trains Revenue Protection Manager Adam Piddlington said: “Ticket gates are simply the fairest and most effective way to ensure that everyone is travelling with a valid ticket.”

 

Mark Hawes a passenger who regularly uses Winchester station doesn’t think the gates will be efficient. He said: “The new system will make the station chaotic and the system in place at the moment is working fine. The gates will cause queues as there is only one entrance to each platform. It will cause havoc, especially at rush hour.”

 

Peter Hurst a Network Rail Manager says that the gates can be made to open in the opposite direction if the number of passengers entering or leaving the station increases. “The new gate line should smooth the passenger flow, especially at peak times.”

 

Installations of the new gate line at Winchester and other stations on South West Trains network will begin early next year.