Surely if they put a little ticket cabin by the gate, as they have done at Forest Hill and Brockley (I think) they wouldn't have to close the gate at the first sign of rain.
I've given up on the train. For my last few weeks of work I'll be taking the bus - it may take a bit longer but it's far less stressful and I can at least get a seat! So Southern won't be making any money out of me for a while!
Oystergate: Showdown Time
the attendant probably went for a wee!boon wrote:Closed on Tuesday morning at 7.45am. They did open it when I rang, although when I turned up there were a number of confused looking people hanging around talking about whether or not it was supposed to be open. People are going to stop bothering trying to use that gate, which would probably suit Southern fine so they can take the guard off permanently.
guy there this morning was great. said good morning etc...good to see.
Wouldn't it be easier for everyone if they just left the gate open in this case? Saves their staff getting constantly buzzed, as was happening when I was there this morning, and avoids confusing and/or delaying their "customers" (as they like to call us).nasaroc wrote:He is adamant that, even if staff are absent, anybody will be granted entry during "opening times", "no questions asked" if they press the buzzer.
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richpickings
- Posts: 75
- Joined: 15 Oct 2006 17:05
- Location: Ex of Kirkdale
Rich Pickings - another thought about the proposed gate.
If the plan for the new gate does not appear on the LBL planning website by early September, I will contact LBL and try to hurry this along. Although the current situation is a great deal better than a "closed gate", it still means that for six hours in the middle of the day the gate is shut - not to mention the times when the staff don't turn up and the gate has to be closed!
Far better to get a functioning gate in operation so that the station can be accessed on that side throughout the day.
If the plan for the new gate does not appear on the LBL planning website by early September, I will contact LBL and try to hurry this along. Although the current situation is a great deal better than a "closed gate", it still means that for six hours in the middle of the day the gate is shut - not to mention the times when the staff don't turn up and the gate has to be closed!
Far better to get a functioning gate in operation so that the station can be accessed on that side throughout the day.
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richpickings
- Posts: 75
- Joined: 15 Oct 2006 17:05
- Location: Ex of Kirkdale
I received a long, detailed, and rather boring letter from southern yestderday defending their position and responding to my legal points. If anyone wants to see a copy PM me your email address and I'll send you a scan. I didn't feel they addressed my points completely...I'm going to have to consider what I do next, if anything.
On another point I've noticed when alighting on platform 2 these past couple of days that the guard on duty is opening the gates up as the train pulls in.... something which I'm very happy about.
On another point I've noticed when alighting on platform 2 these past couple of days that the guard on duty is opening the gates up as the train pulls in.... something which I'm very happy about.
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goonerchamp
- Posts: 167
- Joined: 28 Jun 2005 12:18
- Location: Sydenham, Sydenham where the f**k is Sydenham
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Greg Whitehead
- Posts: 474
- Joined: 11 Apr 2005 15:44
- Location: SE26 5RL
I agree with you Goonerchamp. A few days ago I saw someone trying to go through the barriers straight behind someone as he clearly didn't have a ticket. The person in front stopped and asked him what he was doing, which alerted the guard.goonerchamp wrote:Am I the only one who thinks its a total waste of time having these gates at Sydenham station?
when in the evening you get off the train and the attendant just opens them all ? (can someone please explain the point?)
Maybe Im missing something ?
The guard asked the man what he was doing and he replied he forgot to buy a ticket. The guard then asked him to go to the window and pay. Having let him through the main barrier the man proceeded to brazenly just walk out of the station.
I laughed out loud.
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barrybethel
- Posts: 4
- Joined: 27 Aug 2008 09:37
- Location: Sydenham
They don't do oyster at all at the station. Twice Street newsagent and other places in the highstreet will top up or do monthly tickets for oyster for you.leenewham wrote:This morning I tried to renew my oyster travel card (monthly). The guy behind the glass said they didn't do oyster, not even for a travelcard.
When did they stop doing them? My wife got one last month! Or are the staff just a bit dumb?
Station staff still aren't living up to the promises that have been made by their superiors. When I've been to the side gate out of the hours that it's manned, invariably either the buzzer is ignored or I have to argue with the person on the intercom about whether or not they should open the gate. I and a few of my local acquaintances have entirely stopped trying to use the gate at these times.
Worse, I was coming down the stairs onto the platform yesterday around 2pm (after having gone around via the station), and there was a young woman with a buggy at the intercom arguing with the staff. I only caught the end of it, but the staff member asked her why she couldn't "get one of those men on the platform to help carry the buggy over the bridge and use the ticket barrier". She started shouting after that, at which point the gate was opened.
As I recall, we were told by Southern that the gate would be opened if we used the intercom "no questions asked". They told us that directly at the station meeting - why haven't they informed the station staff?
Worse, I was coming down the stairs onto the platform yesterday around 2pm (after having gone around via the station), and there was a young woman with a buggy at the intercom arguing with the staff. I only caught the end of it, but the staff member asked her why she couldn't "get one of those men on the platform to help carry the buggy over the bridge and use the ticket barrier". She started shouting after that, at which point the gate was opened.
As I recall, we were told by Southern that the gate would be opened if we used the intercom "no questions asked". They told us that directly at the station meeting - why haven't they informed the station staff?