Post by happybunny on Dec 13, 2007 17:15:55 GMT
I made my first journey on the Overground today, since TFL took over services. I went from Acton Central to Richmond. I have to say I wasn't very impressed with what they have done at Acton central. They seem to have refurbished the Eastbound booking hall area, and have new ticket machines. Due to the small opening to the platform they have installed just 3 ticket gates, one entry and one exit and one wheelchair size gate (which I guess can be changed to entry or exit). I think at peak times these gates certainly won't cope with the amount of people as its a fairly busy station. And as for the wheelchair gate obviously it can only work on entry OR exit so if it is on exit mode (as it was when I was on the station) then the SA has to touch the other side for it to open to let anyone in... I saw this happen twice with people with pushchairs he seemed to just open the gate and they just went in. I am not sure weather he got them to 'touch in' elsewhere but it certainly didn't seem so. Seems a bit ridiculous if you ask me, instead of the wide gate they would have been better off just having a normal manual gate that the SA can use, with a oyster reader either side. On the WB platform a ticket machine has been installed and the same gateline arrangement installed, under a glass canopy. The screens are also now working.
I was quite surprised they have installed the gates so quickly, but like I say the arrangment seems quite silly. Wouldn't like to be getting off a WB train and exiting at rush hour. There is the same grumpy bald man in the ticket office (who I have had a few run ins with in the past) and two staff, one on each ''gateline''.
Also if anyone knows this station, you will know that it is next to a level crossing (there is a subway between the two platforms to use when the barriers are down), the access from the platforms, via platform ramp, to the level crossing itself is very much open and easy. I don't think you would even walk on ballast it would be straight down the platform ramp onto the crossing.... so the ticket gates seem a total waste of time as any one can avoid them this way (and its obvious too!). Also having the wide gates is silly you could get a army through on one ticket.
The signage on the platforms remains exactly the same however the entrance sign to the EB Platform to a Overground branded one with TEMPORARY SIGN written at the bottom.
The train was eight minutes late, which I was used to with Silverlink anyway
So all in all they have made an effort.... but not that impressed!
I was quite surprised they have installed the gates so quickly, but like I say the arrangment seems quite silly. Wouldn't like to be getting off a WB train and exiting at rush hour. There is the same grumpy bald man in the ticket office (who I have had a few run ins with in the past) and two staff, one on each ''gateline''.
Also if anyone knows this station, you will know that it is next to a level crossing (there is a subway between the two platforms to use when the barriers are down), the access from the platforms, via platform ramp, to the level crossing itself is very much open and easy. I don't think you would even walk on ballast it would be straight down the platform ramp onto the crossing.... so the ticket gates seem a total waste of time as any one can avoid them this way (and its obvious too!). Also having the wide gates is silly you could get a army through on one ticket.
The signage on the platforms remains exactly the same however the entrance sign to the EB Platform to a Overground branded one with TEMPORARY SIGN written at the bottom.
The train was eight minutes late, which I was used to with Silverlink anyway
So all in all they have made an effort.... but not that impressed! 
